Nanwakolas Council Society will soon have a labour market study that will provide a blueprint so its member First Nations can play a bigger role in B.C.’s diverse, growing and strong economy.

The Province is providing $110,500 for the Nanwakolas Council Society to commission a five-year training and employment strategy. The council is comprised of seven First Nations on Northern Vancouver Island and adjacent South Central Coast areas. The strategy will include an inventory of local labour force skills and gaps of First Nations members, area employers’ labour market needs and a detailed action plan that will help address those needs.

This will be done in co-operation with local industry, employers, educational institutions, as well as First Nations and their members to identify skills and education gaps, as well as opportunities. Youth will also be engaged through a social media campaign to get their input.

At least four community presentations will be scheduled to share the employment and training strategy with First Nations and stakeholders in various communities. A final report on the findings, complete with an action plan, will be produced by the end of May 2016 when the project is complete.

Labour Market Partnerships are a component of the Employment Program of BC’s Community and Employer Partnerships fund for projects that share labour market information and increase employability throughout the province. Each year the ministry budgets $1 million for Labour Market Partnerships.

B.C. has reached a tipping point with fewer young people entering the workforce than older workers leaving it. That is why, through the B.C. Skills for Jobs Blueprint, government is re-engineering education and training programs towards a data-driven system ensuring that investment decisions align with the needs of our rapidly changing labour market so that more British Columbians have the skills they need to be first in line for in-demand jobs.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“The Province provides funding for labour market studies to help communities, businesses and industry prepare for the future. These studies help them understand the skills that will be needed and map out a plan to ensure their continued economic well-being. This five-year training and employment strategy will benefit the Nanwakolas Council Society and its member First Nations, as well as the local economy.”

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –

“First Nations are a vital part of B.C.’s strong, diverse and growing economy. This labour market study will identify ways to increase the jobs skills of Nanwakolas Council Society First Nations members by pinpointing the kind of skills training needed for employment success and improved quality of life.”

Don McRae, MLA for Comox Valley -

“As B.C.’s economy continues to grow, it’s important to provide opportunities in communities, while exploring labour force gaps that need filling. These labour market studies do that by identifying labour market information and opportunities. Congratulations to the Nanwakolas Council Society. I look forward to seeing the results of this study.”

Dallas Smith, president, Nanwakolas Council –

“Nanwakolas Council First Nations are pleased to bring this Labour Market Partnership project to the region, thanks to the provincial funding. There are significant workforce dynamics affecting the productivity of major industries of our region. With a collaborative and strategic approach to First Nations workforce development, our First Nations members will be better positioned to capitalize on available and emerging employment and career opportunities in all business and industry operations of our territories.”

Chief Rob Everson, K’omoks First Nation –

“The K’omoks First Nation is happy to be participating in this First Nations-led Labour Market Partnership project that focuses on the region. We are engaged in numerous business partnerships with industry and have increasing needs to fill the employment demands of our Nation. Working collaboratively to create a workforce development strategy with other First Nations, employers and education and training organizations will help K’omoks First Nation members take advantage of employment and career opportunities in our territories.”

Quick Facts:

• Nanwakolas, in Kwakwala, means “a place we go to find agreement”.
• The seven member Nations of the Nanwakolas Council are:
  • Mamalilikulla Qwe'Qwa'Sot'Em First Nation
  • Tlowitsis Nation
  • Da'naxda'xw Awaetlatla First Nation
  • Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw First Nations
  • We Wai Kum First Nation
  • Kwiakah First Nation
  • K'ómoks First Nation
• Labour Market Partnerships help local employers, employee and employer associations, and communities develop ways to deal with worker shortages or changes in the job market so they can prepare for the future.
• Projects that provide opportunities for people who are often disadvantaged in the workforce, such as people with disabilities, Aboriginal people, and youth, are encouraged.
• In 2015-16, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
• The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint that helps align training and education with in-demand jobs and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market or who face unique challenges.
• Funding supports 84 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
  • Job Creation Partnerships
  • Labour Market Partnerships
  • Project-Based Labour Market Training
  • Research and Innovation

Who is eligible?

• Businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Crown corporations
• Municipalities, agencies or territorial governments
• Bands/tribal councils
• Public health and educational institutions

Learn More:

For more on the Nanwakolas Council, visit: http://www.nanwakolas.com/

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

For more information on B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

Learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi

Learn more about the Employment Programs of BC: http://www.sdsi.gov.bc.ca/programs/epbc/index.htm

Find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca