New training programs funded by the B.C. government will help Gitxsan Nation members improve their job readiness and find new career paths in the emerging liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry. 

Through an $800,000 investment by government, 168 unemployed and underemployed Gitxsan members will receive training in occupational areas such as camp services, basic security, construction craft worker essential skills, driver training and occupational first aid. The training programs are designed to address skills gaps and improve job success for Gitxsan people.

The focus of the training will be directed to the Gitxsan communities of Kispiox, Glenvowell, Gitanmaax, Gitsegukla, Gitwangak and Gitanyow as well as members from Hagwilget and other neighbouring Gitxsan and First Nation communities. The programs will be delivered to the communities by Northwest Community College and the Gitxsan Development Corporation.    

Provincial funding for these programs is provided through the B.C. Aboriginal Skills Training Development Fund, which is investing up to $30 million over the next three years for new Aboriginal skills training projects and partnerships.

Offering community-driven skills training is one part of the Province’s efforts to include First Nations communities and Aboriginal people in new LNG sector opportunities. B.C. is also working with First Nations communities on environmental stewardship priorities and financial benefits agreements.

Quotes:

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –

“The good-paying jobs and the shared prosperity that LNG development is bringing to B.C. represent a tremendous opportunity for all of us. It will create thousands of new jobs and become a powerful driver for a growing economy and greater prosperity.  Most importantly, it will bring enormous economic benefits and improve the quality of life for families and communities throughout this region.”

Rick Connors, President and CEO, Gitxsan Development Corporation –

“We are very excited at the focussed approach to training the Province has taken. This is a positive step that supports the vision that our Chiefs have concerning economic development on the Lax Yip (traditional territory). We have tailored the training to mesh right in with both the existing Gitxsan businesses and those that are about to be launched.”

Alice Maitland, regional director, Northwest Community College –

"This partnership and training will be a legacy of the extensive development that is occurring in our communities and will provide these students with the assurance that, regardless of downturns in industry, they will be able to present themselves, already skilled, to any future employer in our communities, or far away. We look forward to our continuing association with the Gitxsan Development Corporation and their funders in this worthwhile community effort.” 

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.
• A key target of the B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint is to increase Aboriginal workforce participation by 15,000 new Aboriginal workers over the next 10 years.
• Developing a LNG export industry will build on B.C.’s 50-year history of safe exploration and make the province’s most-promising natural resource into an exportable commodity, creating new jobs and securing new economic growth.
• The Canadian Research Institute recently indicated natural gas developments in British Columbia will increase employment (direct, indirect and induced) from 52,720 jobs in 2015 to 156,000 by 2035.

Learn More:

Gitxsan First Nation: www.gitxsan.com/

Gitxsan Development Corporation: www.gitxsanbusiness.com/

Northwest Community College: www.nwcc.bc.ca/

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

BC Jobs Plan: engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

A backgrounder follows.