The Province and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) have been working together on two labour market projects aimed at helping more youth join British Columbia’s workforce and recruiting others who want to work in Aboriginal non-profit organizations.

Since 2015, government has provided more than $1.5 million in total to the BCAAFC to lead the Advancing the Aboriginal Non-Profit Workforce Strategy, and the Economic Empowerment of B.C.’s Aboriginal Youth project with partners, through the sector Labour Market Partnership program.

The goal of the Advancing the Aboriginal Non-Profit Workforce Strategy is to help Aboriginal non-profit organizations and agencies recruit, as well as retain employees. To achieve this goal, the BCAAFC held extensive consultations with Aboriginal communities from 2012-2014. They have been working together to develop materials, including agency-specific culture and wellness plans, a sector pension plan, retirement planning and promotional package for organizations for recruitment. Now, with $900,000 in funding support from the government, the BCAAFC and project partners will finish their work by spring 2017. Their results will be shared with stakeholders for possible implementation in the future.

In addition, the BCAAFC has also been working with the BC Elders’ Council, the Provincial Youth Advisory Council and other Friendship Centres throughout the province on the Economic Empowerment of B.C.’s Aboriginal Youth project. The goal of this $600,000 project is to gain a better understanding of the employment barriers that Aboriginal youth face and lay out community-based strategies that will address these barriers. The BCAAFC and its partners recently completed this project and will share the results of their work with stakeholders, as well as community partners.

Both the Aboriginal Non-Profit Workforce Strategy and the Economic Empowerment of B.C.’s Aboriginal Youth project are examples of the Province’s commitments to work with Aboriginal people and First Nations, as mentioned in the BC Jobs Plan and BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. Aboriginal peoples and First Nations are key to the BC Jobs Plan and engaging with Aboriginal people, especially youth, is one of government’s Blueprint goals.

The sector Labour Market Partnerships program is funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement. The program helps employers understand and respond to changing labour market demands, and ensures that training and education programs in B.C. are aligned with industry’s labour-market needs and priorities.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour –

“B.C. is currently the economic leader in the country and we are expecting nearly one million job openings by 2025. Aboriginal people are a critical part of our economic success in a rapidly changing labour market.

“This is why we are supporting the BC Association of Friendship Centres and their partners in these two labour market partnership projects for youth and non-profit organizations — so that more Aboriginal people, including youth, have the support they need to join the workforce and succeed in B.C.’s growing economy.”

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –

“These projects will help to ensure more Aboriginal people – especially young people -- successfully access jobs generated in B.C. Aboriginal people can take a prominent role in a growing B.C. economy, and finding ways to remove unique employment barriers is an investment that will benefit all British Columbians.”

Annette Morgan, president, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres –

“We acknowledge the commitment the Province has made in partnering and supporting the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres to create and lead innovative projects that address the labour-market challenges faced by Aboriginal communities, especially those that focus on youth.

“The Economic Empowerment of B.C.’s Aboriginal Youth project was a unique research initiative that gathered data from nearly 400 Indigenous youth in 21 different communities across the Province. The project revealed direct challenges that Indigenous youth face today and the supports they need to build a future where they are empowered to reach their full potential. The resulting report and the ‘59 Calls to Action’ it listed, will be a key resource to inform and influence planners and decision-makers for many years to come. The project is central to the BCAAFC’s ‘Five by Five - Aboriginal Jobs Strategy’, a framework which aligns with many goals of the BC Skills for Jobs Blueprint. It is our hope that the EEBCAY report will be widely distributed as a platform and guide for further investment, given the integrity and legitimacy of the youth voices it reflects.”

Quick Facts:

• Aboriginal youth are the fastest growing demographic in the province and will play a vital role in a strong B.C. economy.
• Through B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, government is reaching out to Aboriginal peoples in their communities to ensure they have the education, training and support they need for B.C. jobs.

Learn More:

Sector Labour Market Partnerships program: www.workbc.ca/sectorlabourmarketpartnerships

BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres: http://www.bcaafc.com/

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education/B-C-s-Skills-for-Jobs-Blueprint.aspx

B.C. 2025 Labour Market Outlook: https://www.workbc.ca/Statistics/Labour-Market.aspx