The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), Okanagan College and the University of Victoria (UVic) and eleven Aboriginal communities in the region are creating six program partnerships that will help prepare 141 Aboriginal learners for a career in the skilled trades.

Participants will gain the skills to work in jobs including heavy equipment operators and construction craft workers.

Six programs are receiving more than $1.2 million through the Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program in 2015-16.

Aboriginal learners will take their training within their own communities which increases access and learner success.

46% of the Aboriginal population in B.C. are under the age of 25 and increasing their participation in the workforce is important to supporting a diverse, strong and growing economy.

The more than $1.2 million for the eleven Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships programs includes $246,000 from the Ministry of Advanced Education and $992,000 from the Employment Services and Supports (ESS) stream of the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement.

A total of 348 proposals for funding from 135 individual organizations were submitted to the B.C. government for ESS funding by the application deadline in April. In 2015-16, a total of $36.4 million was provided to the province for all ESS programs, including the Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships programs and programs available through the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training.

The Canada Job Fund helps ensure training programs give individuals the skills to enter and succeed in the job market. The goal of ESS is to increase the labour market participation of British Columbians by assisting them to prepare for entry to, or return to, sustainable employment.

The programs support the BC Jobs Plan, B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, and the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Policy Framework and Action Plan (Aboriginal Framework).

Quotes:

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson –

“Community-based training opportunities assist Aboriginal learners as they open doors to jobs that will support their families and communities. Aboriginal workers are an important part of our diverse, strong and growing economy.”

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad –

“Aboriginal people are the fastest growing and youngest population in B.C. Working to ensure their participation in the economy is important in meeting the skill needs of employers throughout B.C.”

Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart –

“Our region has a bright economic future and community-based training will help ensure Aboriginal learners have the education and training they need to contribute to our collective success.”

Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone –

“Our regional economy needs a broad range of workers to support its growth. These community-based training programs will help ensure Aboriginal people are part of our plan to grow the economy.”

Penticton MLA Dan Ashton –

“These training partnerships are part of government’s work to ensure Aboriginal people can access educational opportunities that prepare them to enter our diverse, strong and growing economy.”

Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo –

“There are a projected 147,900 job openings for the South East and Aboriginal people are important to meeting this labour demand. These training and education programs will help Aboriginal people get these job opportunities.”

Westside-Kelowna MLA Christy Clark –

“It's all about acquiring the skills to enter sectors with a high-demand for new workers. Whether you're entering to job maket or looking to upgrade, these programs could be the first step towards a new career.”

Nicola Valley Institute of Technology president Ken Tourand –

“With a vision dedicated to strengthening Aboriginal communities, one learner at a time, NVIT has delivered education in communities for over 30 years. Through community-based trades programing, NVIT has prepared over 120 learners to either enter the work force or further develop skilled trade talent. It is a pleasure to partner with our colleagues at Okanagan College and provide opportunities for another 123 prospective Aboriginal learners to assist provincial and national efforts to close skills gaps.”

Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton –

“Providing greater access to programming is an important part of how we meet the needs of our Aboriginal learners. Partnerships, like those we have created with the Okanagan Indian Band and Westbank First Nation, allow greater flexibility in our offerings and customized delivery of training to help meet the needs of our communities.”

University of Victoria president Jamie Cassels, Q.C. –

“We are honoured by the invitation to join the Lakes Division communities of Splatsin, Neskonlith, Adam’s Lake, and Little Shuswap on their journey to enhance their community-based economies. This program focuses on developing individuals’ skills and understanding of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in the context of Indigenous community economic development. This partnership is an example of UVic’s commitment to provide access for Indigenous communities to programs and expertise that can have a lasting impact in their communities. Over the past three years the Gustavson School of Business at UVic has delivered eight specialized community-based entrepreneurship and economic development programs to participants from over 25 Indigenous communities in B.C.”

Vancouver Island University president Ralph Nilson –

“This key partnership provides support for Aboriginal students to reach their potential, gain skills that will help them succeed, and create opportunities for them to participate in the growing economy as full and active partners contributing to a brighter future for British Columbia.”

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan and Aboriginal Peoples and First Nations: http://ow.ly/V4B0P

B.C. 2024 Labour Market Outlook: http://ow.ly/V4B5D

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: http://ow.ly/XBDsv

Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement: http://ow.ly/XBlna

Aboriginal Framework: http://ow.ly/V5rVn

A backgrounder follows.