A new skills training project will ensure more First Nations members can successfully pursue occupations as career-development practitioners and training-program co-ordinators.

The SkillsConnect project will prepare a pool of highly qualified Indigenous career-development professionals and training-program co-ordinators to support implementation of workforce-training strategies in First Nations communities that have prospects in LNG development.

Training will be delivered throughout the year through a suite of 51 workshops in various First Nations communities. The workshops will provide instruction in key areas such as project management, performance coaching, budgeting and financial management, career-development practices and management skills. Up to 50 participants will receive training through the project.

Training organizations delivering SkillsConnect are the College of New Caledonia, Douglas College, the New Relationship Trust and the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Training and Employment Association, which also manages the project.

The training is being offered to the following 17 First Nations communities:

• Burns Lake Band
• Cheslatta Carrier Nation
• Kwadacha Nation
• Lake Babine Nation
• Lheidli T'enneh Band
• McLeod Lake Indian Band
• Nadleh Whut'en Band
• Nak'azdli Band
• Nee Tahi Buhn Band
• Saik'uz First Nation
• Skin Tyee Nation
• Stellat'en First Nation
• Takla Lake First Nation
• Tl'azt'en Nation
• Tsay Keh Dene
• Wet'suwet'en First Nation
• Yekooche First Nation

Provincial funding of $144, 000 for the SkillsConnect project is provided through B.C.’s Aboriginal Skills Training Development Fund, which is investing up to $30 million over three years for new 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 and MLA for Nechako Lakes –

“This training will help meet the growing need for Indigenous professionals who can deliver culturally relevant, career-development services to First Nations communities and their members throughout northern B.C.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour and MLA for Prince George-Valemount –

“Increasing Aboriginal participation in skills training is critical to the future success of British Columbia. Aboriginal youth are the fastest-growing demographic in our province with half under the age of 25. Programs like these will provide Aboriginal people with the skills and work experience necessary to find their fit in our diverse, strong and growing economy.”

Mike Morris, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie –

“By providing training support for Indigenous career-placement professionals, this project will help to connect First Nations members with jobs.”

Karin Hunt, executive director, Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association –

“This training will give First Nations career-development practitioners the tools that they need to increase participation of First Nations people in the workforce.”

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.
• The Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association (PGNAETA) was incorporated under the British Columbia Society Act in 1993, to administer and deliver Employment Training initiatives for Aboriginal people within the Prince George Nechako area.

Learn More:

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

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

Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association: http://pgnaeta.bc.ca/