New skills-training programs for members of the Gitanyow First Nation community will increase opportunities for sustainable employment in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector and provide long-term benefits for individuals and their families.

The suite of new skills-training courses being offered is designed to help participants meet entry-level requirements for employment in the natural gas pipeline industry and other resource sectors. There is a strong focus on projected high-demand occupations and potential worker shortages in the construction stages of natural gas pipeline development. Over the next two years, up to 100 Gitanyow members will receive training through courses that include:

• Class 1 driver’s licence
• Security guard training
• Class 4 driver’s licence
• Heavy duty equipment mechanic
• Occupational First Aid Level 3
• Graduated Licence Program
• Pipeline construction safety training

The training will be delivered by Northwest Community College, BV Driving School and Northwest First Aid Training.

Provincial funding of $320,000 over the next two years for the Gitanyow skills training project is provided through B.C.’s Aboriginal Skills Training Development Fund, which is investing up to $30 million over three years in Indigenous skills-training projects and partnerships.

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

Quotes:

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –

“Skills training can be the ticket to a good job, and the training being provided to Gitanyow members through this program will help to ensure they are positioned to benefit from the tremendous employment opportunities that LNG development is bringing to B.C.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Labour –

“Investing in initiatives for Aboriginal people is a key commitment of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. Aboriginal youth are the fastest growing demographic in the province, with half under the age of 25, and with the almost one million job openings on the horizon, programs like these will provide them with the skills training and work experience necessary to find their fit in our diverse, strong and growing economy.”

Beverly Russell, project manager, Gitanyow Employment & Training Institute, Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs Office –

“This funding contributes to the long-term plan to establish the Gitanyow Employment and Training Institute, which will provide Gitanyow Wilp and community members with the education and training opportunities needed to secure meaningful employment. By meeting immediate training needs for high-demand jobs in the region, we also continue to build our capacity to achieve our long-term goals for Gitanyow.”

Quick Facts:

• Aboriginal people are a priority in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint.
• A key target of the Blueprint is to increase Aboriginal workforce participation by 15,000 new Aboriginal workers by 2024.
• During the past year, more than 1,200 First Nations members received training through programs supported by the Aboriginal Skills Training Development Fund. Another 1,000 will be trained in 2016/17.
• To keep the economy diverse, strong and growing, since September 2011, the BC Jobs Plan has been building on the strengths of B.C.’s most competitive sectors utilizing B.C’s educated and skilled workforce.

Learn More:

Gitanyow First Nation: gitanyowchiefs.com/

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

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