Through a variety of job-related training and courses, the Moricetown Band is working to ensure community members are job-ready and will benefit from regional employment opportunities.

The band’s Kyah Works program is designed to build and enhance employment skills for Moricetown community members living on and off-reserve. The content of the courses being provided ranges from general adult-education upgrading and post-secondary preparation to advanced training in areas such as heavy-duty mechanics, construction craft worker and welding, as well as industrial first aid, driver certifications and environmental monitoring.

The B.C. government is providing funding of $450,000 to support delivery of these courses and up to 218 community members will receive training as a result. Eligible participants will include, but will not be limited to, unemployed and underemployed Moricetown Band members on and off reserve, as well as members of other bands with Wet’suwet’en heritage.

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 –

“This skills training project will lead to sustainable employment and new career opportunities for Moricetown members who will have the skills they need to benefit from direct and indirect jobs that resource development is bringing to this region.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training 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 our 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.”

Chief Duane Mitchell, Moricetown Band –

“I fully support the band’s Kyah Works Program. This program will assist Moricetown community members on and off reserve in receiving training close to home and in getting ready for the work force.”

Quick Facts:

• Aboriginal people are a priority in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint.
• A key target of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint is to increase Aboriginal workforce participation by 15,000 new Aboriginal workers by 2024.
• 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 our educated and skilled workforce.

Learn More:

Moricetown Band:  http://moricetown.ca/

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

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