A new partnership between the Province and the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association (PGNAETA) will study labour market trends and needs - including future LNG opportunities - for 10 First Nations communities in the region.

The B.C. government is providing $320,022 to PGNAETA for the project, which will be completed in collaboration with the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Lheidli T'enneh Band, McLeod Lake Band, Nadleh Whut'en Band, Nak'azdli Band, Saik’uz First Nation, Stellat'en First Nation, Takla Lake First Nation, Tl'azt'en Nation and Yekooche First Nation, as well as additional communities who choose to participate.

The project is employing a co-ordinator, a research assistant and field interviewers to gather information and develop a skills inventory, long-term approaches for Aboriginal labour force development, and a human resources strategy to meet the anticipated labour demand for skilled workers in the participating First Nations communities. They will do so by conducting interviews with major employers, small businesses and up to 1,000 First Nations community members to determine areas of interest for future skills development.

The strategy will include current and projected labour market needs, information on the current composition of the Aboriginal workforce, identification of training and education needs and strategies to meet labour market needs now and in the future. It will also create Aboriginal human resource development programs within each community.

The report will be complete in October and shared with the participating communities. 

Funding for the project is provided through the Labour Market Partnership stream of the Community and Employer Partnerships program.

Labour Market Partnerships help local employers, employee and employer associations, and communities develop ways to deal with worker shortages or changes in the job market so they can prepare for the future.

The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and provides the supports people need to gain a foothold in the job market. Projects build on strong partnerships between industry and labour to connect British Columbians with classroom and on-the-job training, while making it easier for employers to hire the skilled workers they need – when and where they need them.

To date, more than 1,000 job seekers benefited from work experience and over 200 projects have been funded throughout the province.

The blueprint was launched two years ago to help British Columbians get the skills they need to be first in line for the almost one million job openings that are projected by 2024 and to re-engineer our education programs towards a data-driven system focusing investments toward training for in-demand jobs.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“Increasing employment opportunities for Aboriginal people is a key focus of our investment in employment and labour market programs for B.C. It is important our government enters into partnerships with communities to ensure more is being done to help their members find meaningful employment.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, and MLA for Prince George-Valemount –

“It is critical that we work in partnership with First Nations as we grow our economy. This study will give us the information we need to create a labour market strategy to ensure that First Nations are full participants in our economic growth both today and in the future.”

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, MLA for Nechako Lakes –

“The strength of this program lies in working with the communities. By taking a community level approach, this program will help ensure First Nations and the Province are well-prepared to take advantage of future employment opportunities and a growing economy.”

Quick Facts:

• The Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association is dedicated to promoting the self-sufficiency of Aboriginal people. They have a mandate to serve the Aboriginal community in the field of human resource development in B.C.’s North Central Interior region (north to Fort Ware (Kwadacha), east to Valemont/McBride west to Fort Babine (Smithers) and South to Hixon.
• Guided by chiefs, urban leaders, employment practitioners and Aboriginal citizens, the PGNAETA works collaboratively to aid the Aboriginal workforce to participate in the shifting labour market in today's economy.
• Local WorkBC Employment Services Centres play a lead role in connecting eligible job seekers to Job Creation Partnership and Project-Based Labour Market Training opportunities in their community.Once the right match of client to project has been found, the effort of the WorkBC centre continues by providing financial supports and services to ensure success.
• B.C. invests more than $7.5 billion in education and training each year from early learning programs for the youngest British Columbians all the way through to post graduate education.
• Over the next 10 years, to better align annual investments to meet emerging labour market needs, the government will redirect $3 billion in training investments to focus on skills and programs for in-demand jobs.
• In 2016-17, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
• The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• Funding supports 84 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
  • Job Creation Partnerships
  • Labour Market Partnerships
  • Project-Based Labour Market Training
  • Research and Innovation

Who is eligible for Community and Employer Partnerships Funding?

• Businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Crown corporations
• Municipalities, agencies or territorial governments
• Bands/tribal councils
• Public health and educational institutions

Learn More:

Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association: http://pgnaeta.bc.ca/

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

Find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca

Learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi

For more information on B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/