Building on the success of an earlier skills training program, Tsil Kaz Koh (Burns Lake Band) and the Wet’suwet’en First Nation are again partnering to provide new educational opportunities for their members. 

Nis Ts’edilh (We are Moving Forward) is a joint skills training project with courses that include customer service, warehouse training, program management, office administration and computer technology, adult literacy and maintenance worker program. 

Up to 86 community members will receive training through the project. The training will be delivered by the Construction and Specialized Workers Union Local 1611, Lakes District Literacy Outreach, Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment & Training Association, Thomas Morris Consulting, University of Northern British Columbia and the College of New Caledonia. 

Provincial funding of $430,000 for Nis Ts’edilh (We are Moving Forward) 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 —

“The courses provided through this project will help to ensure members of Tsil Kaz Koh and the Wet’suwet’en First Nation are positioned to acquire sustainable employment or pursue further educational opportunities.”

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 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.”

Chief Dan George, Tsil Kaz Koh (Burns Lake Band) —

“Through strong leadership and strategic partnerships such as the Nis Ts’edilh (We are Moving Forward) and Aboriginal Skills Funding, the 147-member Burns Lake Band is in the process of finalizing its hotel Keyoh Lodge employing several people. One of the training opportunities, the Customer Care Program will assist our membership with the skills required to operate the band owned business.”

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.
• 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.

Learn More:

Burns Lake Band: http://www.burnslakeband.ca/ (Tsil Kaz Koh)

Wet’suwet’en First Nation: http://wetsuwetenfirstnation.ca/

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

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