Aboriginal students at Okanagan College will benefit from a range of new and expanded programs to support them throughout their studies as the result of the college receiving $75,000 in one-time provincial funding.

Okanagan College will use the funding for a range of activities including increasing support from Elders and cultural knowledge keepers on college campuses, implementing workshops to improve skills such as studying and peer-mentorship and increasing outreach to and recruitment of Aboriginal students.

The targeted funding for Okanagan College is part of more than $1 million that is being provided to 14 public post-secondary institutions to help ensure institutions are welcoming learning environments for Aboriginal students.

This funding is part of ongoing activities to support the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Policy Framework and Action Plan. The provincial government launched this plan in 2012 to improve post-secondary education and training opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal people in B.C.

The goal is to increase the number of credentials awarded to Aboriginal learners by 75% by 2020-21. In 2013-14, 3,241 credentials were awarded to Aboriginal learners, an increase of 23%, or 607 over 2009-10.

The Ministry of Advanced Education also provides supports to Aboriginal students through Aboriginal Service Plans, through funding for community-based training and by providing funding for emergency financial assistance and awards. 

The $75,000 in one-time funding is from the Ministry of Advanced Education in support of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Policy Framework and Action Plan.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark and MLA for Westside-Kelowna on behalf of Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson –

“Our government is working to ensure Aboriginal students have the opportunityto succeed in the regional economy. These additional supports for Okanagan College will help Aboriginal students access and complete the post-secondary education and training they need to be first in line for jobs.”

Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad –

“Outreach and recruitment activities will enable more Aboriginal people to get the education they need to find success in the growing Okanagan economy.”

Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson –

“Okanagan College offers programs that prepare Aboriginal students for in-demand sectors that support our community.  Government is funding new services to ensure more Aboriginal students complete the training they need to enter these sectors.”

Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick –

“Through this $75,000 investment, government is supporting services that make public post-secondary institutions more welcoming and respectful to encourage more students to enrol and complete the training they need to be successful in their lives and work.”

Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton –

“This initiative fits very well with Okanagan College’s strategic direction about working with and learning from the Indigenous community. It will add significantly to our ability to increase access and success of Aboriginal learners.”

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan and Aboriginal Peoples and First Nations: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/economy/aboriginal-peoples-first-nations

Aboriginal Framework: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/aboriginal/policy-framework.htm

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/training-education/b-c-s-skills-for-jobs-blueprint.aspx