A series of new community-based job skills training courses will provide greater access to sustainable employment for members of the Moricetown Band. The training will focus primarily on jobs related to the growing liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry.

The $385,000 KyahWorks program will be overseen by Moricetown Band and administered by Kyah Wiget Education Society (K-eye-a wi-get). The first year of KyahWorks will position Moricetown members to benefit from immediate employment opportunities available on LNG pipeline projects, both directly and indirectly. The funding covers the first year of the three-year program during which 229 participants will receive education and training. Eligible participants will include unemployed and underemployed members of the Moricetown Band.

The content of the courses ranges from general adult education upgrading and post-secondary preparation, to more advanced trades training in areas such as heavy-duty mechanics, and carpentry. Additional courses include an introduction to trades training, environmental monitoring, health care assistant, camp operations, security training and occupational first aid.

All of the courses are being funded through the $30 million Aboriginal Skills Training Development Fund. Introduced earlier this year, the fund will provide up to $10 million annually over the next three years for Aboriginal skills training.

Offering community-driven skills training is part of the Province’s efforts to include First Nations in LNG sector opportunities. British Columbia is also working with First Nations on environmental stewardship priorities and financial benefits agreements.

Quotes:

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –

“The Aboriginal Skills Training Development Fund is focused on ensuring Aboriginal people in northern communities like Moricetown share in the jobs and enhanced prosperity the emerging LNG industry is creating. Funded training programs align with B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and the goal of adding 15,000 more Aboriginal workers to B.C’s workforce within 10 years.”

Chief Duane Mitchell, Moricetown Indian Band –

“We’re very excited that the skills training program being funded by the B.C. government is community driven. This reflects the education needs of our members and helps to provide the kind of skills training that leads directly to jobs.”

Quick Facts:

• Aboriginal people are a priority in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint.
• More than 40,000 Aboriginal British Columbians live in northern communities and almost half of all Aboriginal people in B.C. are under 25 years old.
• The participation of Aboriginal people in skills training programs is critical to the economic success of B.C. as a whole.
• Aboriginal participation in apprenticeship training has doubled since 2006.
• To date, more than 2,800 Aboriginal people have accessed pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training programs provided by the Industry Training Authority (ITA).
• In the past year, the ITA has added six apprenticeship advisors focused on supporting apprentices in Aboriginal communities.

Learn More:

Moricetown Band: http://moricetown.ca/
Originally named ‘Kyah Wiget’, Moricetown is a Wet’suwet’en village in the heart of northwest British Columbia.

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/skills