Capilano University (Cap U) will provide Aboriginal students with tangible skills for teaching language in communities through a language and culture program. Vancouver Community College (VCC) will provide the gateway to careers program to help Aboriginal students develop, set and reach educational and career goals.

These programs are part of a range of new and continuing programs and services supported through Aboriginal Service Plan (ASP) funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education. Cap U received $272,500 and VCC received $225,000 through Aboriginal Service Plan funding 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 $1.4 million for Cap U and $1.4 million for VCC.

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 –

“A post-secondary education can help to prepare Aboriginal students for the benefits of our growing economy. Colleges and universities, such as Vancouver Community College and Capilano University, are working to ensure that Aboriginal students feel supported and respected as they complete their studies and graduate into the work place.”

North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite –

“There will be a strong demand for workers in our region due to economic growth and retirement. Our government supports Aboriginal Service Plans to ensure Aboriginal students at Vancouver Community College and Capilano University graduate armed with the skills for success and ready for the demands of a growing economy.”

Capilano University acting president Rick Gale –

“Capilano University is deeply committed to working with and for our local Indigenous communities, providing programming that is necessary, relevant and valued. We are grateful to the Ministry of Advanced Education for providing funding through the Aboriginal Service Plan to support the Sechelt (shíshálh), Lil’wat, and Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) Nations’ language and culture certificates. These programs are instrumental in promoting, supporting and reinvigorating these threatened languages, and the students who complete these credentials are true stewards of their culture.”

Vancouver Community College president Peter Nunoda –

“This generous funding allows VCC to continue our commitment to Aboriginal learners and communities with programs like the gateways to careers, which are key to increasing access, retention and student success. And, to expand future ASP initiatives to support Aboriginal students - that are responsive to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.”

(flickr.com)

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