The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) is investing in the success of its students by offering a variety of holistic, experiential and cultural learning activities at both of its campuses and in First Nations communities across B.C.

NVIT is providing these supports through $250,000 in Aboriginal Service Plan funding for 2016-17 from the Ministry of Advanced Education.

Aboriginal Service Plans help to increase access to post-secondary education and training for Aboriginal learners as well as strengthen partnerships between public post-secondary institutions and Aboriginal communities. The service plans are designed to make post-secondary institutions and programs more receptive to Aboriginal learners and more relevant to them.

Aboriginal Service Plans are part of ongoing activities to support the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Training Policy and Framework and Action Plan (Aboriginal Framework). The provincial government launched this plan in 2012 to help Aboriginal learners succeed in an integrated, relevant and effective British Columbia post-secondary education system.

Government has invested more than $20 million in Aboriginal Service Plans since the launch of the Aboriginal Framework, including $1.2 million for NVIT.

NVIT is an Aboriginal public post-secondary institute that offers a range of education and training programs. Approximately 80% of students at NVIT are Aboriginal.

Aboriginal learners in B.C. were awarded 3,340 credentials in 2014-15, an increase of 27%, or 706, over 2009-10. One of the Aboriginal Framework goals is to increase the number of credentials awarded to Aboriginal learners by 75% by 2020-21.

Quotes:

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson –

“Our government is working to ensure that Aboriginal students can be successful in their education and can help meet the demands of a growing economy.”

Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart –

“The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology plays an important role in helping Aboriginal students get the skills they need for emerging job opportunities in our region. These programs help ensure programs and services are culturally relevant, and students are supported as they complete their training and prepare for the future.”

Nicola Valley Institute of Technology president Ken Tourand –

“NVIT is pleased to receive Aboriginal Service Plan funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education.  NVIT applies the ASP funding to various programs and services that directly benefit our learners. These services include supporting prospective and current learners as they transition to and from post-secondary and the work place. Overall, the ASP funds assist NVIT in delivering the relevant and unique learning experiences one would anticipate at BC’s Aboriginal Public Post-Secondary Institute.”

Learn More:

Aboriginal post-secondary education and training in B.C.: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/aboriginal-post-secondary-education-and-training-in-bc

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