The College of New Caledonia is partnering with six Aboriginal communities to deliver five education and skills training programs to help 79 Aboriginal learners in the North find and maintain employment in sectors facing skill shortages such as health care and skilled trades.

Program graduates will have the skills to work as entry carpentry and plumbing workers and health care assistants.

The programs are receiving a total of $806,000 through the Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program in 2015-16.

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

The $806,000 for the five Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program includes $180,000 from the Ministry of Advanced Education and $626,000 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 –

“British Columbia has a rapidly growing, young Aboriginal population and strong demand for skilled workers. Community-based programs assist Aboriginal learners to build the skills they need to gain employment.”

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister and MLA for Nechako Lakes 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.”

Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond –

“With almost 50% of the Aboriginal population under the age of 25, it is critical that they have the skills necessary to participate in the job market. Programs like this increase the likelihood of participants finding employment in high-demand occupations.”

Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier –

“The B.C. government is working cross ministry to ensure Aboriginal people have the skills needed to support industries important to our region, including the skilled trades and health care. These jobs support the economic and social health of the North.”

Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris –

“From community-based training to ensuring our public post-secondary institutions are welcoming places for Aboriginal students, the B.C. government is working to ensure Aboriginal peoples have access to the training and education opportunities they need to be successful in life and work.”

College of New Caledonia president Henry Reiser:

“The College is committed to ensuring that our Aboriginal partners share in the projected economic boom that is scheduled to occur in our region. Almost a quarter of CNC’s domestic students are Aboriginal, and in some of our communities this number is as high as 60%. This funding will go a long way toward helping these Aboriginal learners develop marketable skills within health care and the skilled trades so that they can participate in the economic growth of these communities.”

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.