Up to 12 Aboriginal people in the Lillooet area are receiving the training they need for jobs in their communities, thanks to the federal-provincial partnership under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement.

Approximately $199,000 has been allocated to North Island College to deliver the Underground Mining Certificate program for employment at Avino Silver and Gold Mines’ Bralorne mine.

The project will prepare the First Nations participants from the area for jobs as entry-level mine workers. Avino Silver and Gold Mines Ltd. will hire the majority of participants who complete the program.

Classroom training in Lillooet began Nov. 14 and ends Feb. 17, and is followed by practical training at the Bralorne mine from Feb. 20 to 28, 2017.

This training project is part of an investment of more than $12 million for 49 training projects benefiting about 2,000 British Columbians throughout the province, thanks to funding provided through the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement under the Employer-Sponsored Training stream.

The skills training projects support B.C.’s regional labour-market demands and provide opportunities to youth, women, Aboriginal people, immigrants and other eligible participants to receive training, as well as industry-recognized certificates or credentials.

Through the Canada Job Fund, the Government of Canada provides $500 million annually to the provinces and territories for investments in skills training. Under the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement, the province receives a total of $65 million per year — its per-capita share of the available funding.

The Canada-B.C. Job Fund helps ensure training programs give individuals the skills to enter and succeed in the job market. The Employer-Sponsored Training stream provides funding for project-based, time-limited, employer-driven training that leads to a job at the end of training. This includes targeted projects delivered by Aboriginal service providers, post-secondary institutions, industry associations, community groups, and private trainers that meet regional labour market needs. Employers also provide either financial or in-kind contributions to support the training.

Quotes:

Jackie Tegart, MLA for Fraser-Nicola –

“Avino Silver and Gold Mines is the major employer in the region around Gold Bridge and Bralorne, and this investment means so much to the First Nations communities nearby. Hiring local women and men through this program provides economic certainty for individuals, families and their communities.”

John Bowman, president, North Island College –

“North Island College is honoured to be invited to provide Lillooet-area students local access to rich, practical skills training and career opportunities, and we thank our provincial and federal funders for helping us provide educational opportunities that strengthen and support students in their community.”

David Wolfin, president and CEO, Avino Silver and Gold Mines Ltd. –

“Avino is grateful for the support and ongoing commitments from the federal, provincial and St’at’imc governments and to North Island College for their dedication and proficiency in running the program. We are eager to reopen the Bralorne Mine, and having a skilled local labour force will be integral to our ongoing success. This program is an excellent example of the positive outcomes that can be achieved when First Nations, government and industry work together.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. is expecting almost one million job openings by 2025.
• Up to 54,700 job openings are expected in the North Coast and Nechako, Northeast and Cariboo region by 2025.
• Two-thirds of B.C.’s job openings will be from retirements and one-third from economic growth.
• Almost 80% of job openings in B.C. will require post-secondary education.
• The B.C. government invests more than $7.8 billion each year in education and training.
• Through B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, $3 billion in training investments will be redirected to in-demand jobs over the next 10 years.

Learn More:

Canada Job Fund: http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/training_agreements/cjf/index.shtml   

British Columbia’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/skills 

B.C. Labour Market Outlook 2025: https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx

North Island College: http://www.nic.bc.ca/

Avino Silver and Gold Mines Ltd.: http://www.avino.com/s/Home.asp