Aboriginal students at three public post-secondary institutions in the North will benefit from new and continuing programs and services that will support their success as they work to complete their post-secondary education and training.

Examples of programs and services funded include:

• a cultural advisor who will provide cultural guidance and traditional knowledge to College of New Caledonia (CNC) students;
• an Introduction to Trades program that will give Northwest Community College (NWCC) Aboriginal students basic skills in the trades; and
• an Aboriginal Alumni Speaker Series featuring graduates who will share their journeys and accomplishments with current students at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC).

These programs and services are available through Aboriginal Service Plan funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education. CNC received $375,000, NWCC received $341,831 and UNBC received $200,000 for Aboriginal Service Plans in 2016-17.

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.

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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 $2.7 million for CNC, $2.6 million for NWCC and $1 million for UNBC.

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:

Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris, on behalf of Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson –

“Aboriginal Service Plans ensure that our universities and colleges are welcoming and supportive of Aboriginal students throughout their studies. This is part of a government commitment to ensure that Aboriginal people across the province and in my constituency of Prince George-Mackenzie have the opportunity to obtain the skills they need for success in our growing economy.”

Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad –

“A majority of the job openings in the North to 2025 will require post-secondary education or training. The services provided through Aboriginal Service Plans support Aboriginal students working to obtain the education they need for these jobs.”

Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond –

“The North Region is anticipated to have 54,600 job openings to 2025. That is why our government is supporting Aboriginal students in Prince George and Northern British Columbia who are working so hard at our local post-secondary institutions to prepare themselves for these job opportunities that support our local economy.”

Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes –

“This investment in Aboriginal students in the North is an investment in the future of our region. Aboriginal students will help fill the need for skilled employees in a wide range of sectors that contribute not only to the students’ future success, but to a strong, diverse and growing economy.”

College of New Caledonia president Henry Reiser –

“We have high Aboriginal student enrolment across our campuses. Aboriginal Service Plan funding provides culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal students which includes academic and financial advice as well as tutoring.  Creating this kind of inclusive environment strengthens Aboriginal students’ voices, which enrich the entire college community.”

Northwest Community College president and CEO Ken Burt –

“Aboriginal Service Plan activities allow us to support our Aboriginal students both academically and culturally.  That support provides a strong base for success of individuals and the north-west region as a whole. When our students succeed, we all succeed.”

University of Northern British Columbia president Daniel Weeks –

“UNBC offers programs that enhance education successes for Aboriginal students, and appreciates the additional funding through the provincial government’s Aboriginal Service Plan. This type of commitment helps UNBC celebrate and strengthen the partnerships we enjoy with Aboriginal communities in our region and across the country.”

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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