Capilano University is partnering with the Lil’Wat Nation to deliver the Mt. Currie Aboriginal Sustainable Employment program that will help learners obtain industry certificates such as Occupational First Aid, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and Foodsafe. Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson made the announcement today as he visited the university.

The Mt. Currie Aboriginal Sustainable Employment program will provide 12 Aboriginal learners upgrading courses to further their employment opportunities.

Capilano University is one of seven public post-secondary institutions delivering education and skills programs in the lower mainland that will help a total of 170 Aboriginal learners find and maintain employment in sectors such as justice and public safety, and skilled trades in jobs that include welders, food service workers, and construction craft workers.

A total of seven programs will receive more than $1.8 million through the Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program in 2015-16.

The other programs in the region will be delivered by Aboriginal groups and Vancouver Island University, the Justice Institute of B.C., Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Vancouver Community College, Northern Lights College and Thompson Rivers University in Aboriginal communities.

The more than $1.8 million for the seven Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships Programs includes $392,000 from the Ministry of Advanced Education and $1.44 million 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 –

“46% of the Aboriginal population in B.C. are under the age of 25. Increasing their participation in the workforce through community-based programs supports a 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.”

West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy –

“More than 500,000 job openings are projected for our region over the next ten years. To meet this labour demand, it’s critical for government to support Aboriginal people to get training in sectors needing new talent.”

Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness –

“The government knows that supporting Aboriginal learner is essential to growing a diverse and strong economy. That is why we are connecting Aboriginal people to training through the BC Jobs Plan and the B.C. Skills for Jobs Blueprint.”

Capilano University president Dr. Kris Bulcroft –

“I am delighted that Capilano University is one of the institutions selected to administer this grant to further educational and employment opportunities for Aboriginal learners. Increasing access for learners, building partnerships with our communities and ensuring we have a supportive learning environment are high priorities for our University. We look forward to further positive outcomes for Aboriginal learners through this initiative.”

Vancouver Island University president Dr. Ralph Nilson –

“This key partnership provides support for Aboriginal students at Vancouver Island University 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.”

Justice Institute of British Columbia president and CEO Dr. Michel Tarko –

“This certificate program is a strong partnership between our organizations with goals of enhanced employment for Aboriginal learners in entry-level justice and public safety work and options for additional pathways to further education. Our collective goal, consistent with JIBC’s Indigenization Plan is to afford more career opportunities for Aboriginal people in justice and public safety careers.”

Kwantlen Polytechnic University president Dr. Alan Davis –

“Hundreds of students have acquired skills that will allow them to contribute to their careers, to their communities and to the economy as a result of a strong partnership between Kwantlen Polytechnic University and the Squamish First Nation. KPU looks forward to building that partnership as we deliver on our mandates to train students for jobs, and meet the needs of B.C.’s labour market.”

Vancouver Community College president Dr. Peter Nunoda –

“VCC takes great pride in being a long-time supporter of career training for Aboriginal people. This generous funding allowed us to take the program directly to the student's community and to provide them a post-secondary experience with the added support of family and friends.”

Northern Lights College president Dr. Bryn Kulmatycki –

“Northern Lights College is pleased to assist the Seabird Island Band in the training of future early childhood educators. The labour-market demand for early childhood educators across the province is well-documented, and this program is making an important contribution to capacity-building within the Seabird community.”

Thompson Rivers University president Dr. Alan Shaver –

“TRU has a long tradition of delivering language, adult basic education, job readiness and trades training to First Nations communities from our campuses and directly with First Nation partners in their home communities. We are pleased to be able to continue meeting the programing needs of these communities and to support the economic sustainability of the region and the province.”

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.