Media Contacts

Richelle D. Funk

Ministry of Advanced Education
250 356-7876

Media Relations Office

Employment and Social Development Canada
819 994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Backgrounders

Supporting more than 800 Aboriginal learners through community-based training

The Province is investing more than $9.6 million to support the success of Aboriginal learners throughout B.C. through the following community-based training partnerships in 2016-17:

Programs listed by region where programs will be delivered.

Cariboo-Chilcotin - $1,056,774 1 investment to support 62 Aboriginal learners

$268,463 to the University of Northern British Columbia and Tsilhqot’in National Government partnership

Funding is to deliver the Tsilhqot’in Language Certificate program, level 1, in Williams Lake. Participants will get the skills required to work as language support workers within band schools, School District #27, as health care translator, or a translator for land-use management projects. Obtained credits can transfer to other professional programs, including bachelor degrees. Seventeen Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$195,319 to the Thompson Rivers University and Northern Shuswap Tribal Council partnership

Funding is to deliver The Journey Home - The Final Leg of the Developmental Standard Term Certificate Language Journey in the Cariboo Chilcotin program. Participants enrolled in the final year of the three-year program participate in academic, language, culture and education courses. Graduates will earn Teachers Regulation Branch certification. Twelve Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$265,992 to the University of Northern British Columbia and Nazko First Nation partnership

Funding is to deliver the Carrier Language Certificate program, level 1. Participants will obtain the skills required to work as language support workers within Band schools, school districts, as healthcare translator or as a translator for land-use management projects. Eighteen Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$327,000 to the Thompson Rivers University and Alexis Creek First Nation partnership

Funding is to deliver an adult upgrading and university preparation at the Redstone Reserve. Participants will advance towards their Adult Dogwood and learn educational, social, and personal life skills. Fifteen Aboriginal learners will benefit.

Northern British Columbia - $1,154,858 million investment to support 91 Aboriginal learners

$322,104 to the College of New Caledonia and Tl’azt’en Nation partnership

Funding is to deliver the Health Access - Health Care Assistant Certificate program. Participants will acquire the skills necessary to care for individuals with disabilities living in long-term care facilities or private homes. Students will also receive upgrading courses in English and math. Sixteen Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$198,226 to the College of New Caledonia and Yekooche First Nation partnership

Funding is to deliver the Pre-employment Access to Trades program. Participants will develop resumes and cover letters and participate in mock interviews. Training will also include adult upgrading courses and safety certificates such as construction safety training system and strata IT fundamentals. Twelve Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$95,269 to the College of New Caledonia and Takla Lake First Nation partnership

Funding is to deliver the Pre-employment Residential Building Maintenance Assistant program. Participants will gain a range of essential work skills, such as resume writing, as well as certificate and technical training for building maintenance such as trades math, carpentry and plumbing. Twelve Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$280,337 to the College of New Caledonia and Saik’uz First Nation partnership

Funding is to deliver a college and career preparation program. Participants receive upgrading courses in English, math and computer studies. 15 Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$258,922 to the College of New Caledonia and Saik’uz, Nadleh Whut'en and the Stellat’en First Nations partnership

Funding is to deliver the Aboriginal Workplace Readiness program. Participants will focus on subjects that include Aboriginal culture, computer skills and financial literacy. They will also obtain certificates including occupational first aid and resource road radio operation. Thirty-six Aboriginal learners will benefit.

Thompson Okanagan - $1,520,647 million investment to support 205 Aboriginal learners

$306,261 to the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and Coldwater, Lower Nicola and Upper Nicola Indian Bands partnership

Funds are to deliver the Developmental Studies for Aboriginal People in the Nicola Valley program. Participants will receive online and face-to-face learning that includes upgrading in English and math, and industry certificate training including occupational first aid, mineral exploration and Foodsafe. One hundred and twenty Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$224,428 to the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and Okanagan Indian Education Resources Society and Penticton Indian Band partnership

Funding is to deliver the Penticton Heavy Equipment Training program. Participants will receive upgrading courses towards their Adult Dogwood in writing skills and Indigenous studies, as well as excavator and heavy equipment operator training. Twenty Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$287,616 to the Okanagan College and Okanagan Indian Band partnership

Funding is to deliver the Stepping Forward to Employment / Education program. Participants will receive adult basic education upgrading and develop skills essential to the workplace, such as reading, document use, oral communication and using digital technology such as computers. Fourteen Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$673,651 for the University of Victoria and Lake Division Bands (Adams Lake, Neskonlith, Little Shuswap and Splatsin) partnership

Funding is to deliver the Lake Division Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurs program. The program helps participants identify business opportunities within their local economy and the program also includes a mentorship component. Thirty-six Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$28,691 to the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and Lillooet Tribal Council partnership

Funding is to deliver the Lillooet Tribal Council (LTC) College Readiness program. Participants will achieve credits towards the Adult Dogwood Diploma that prepared them for college, with upgrading courses in English, indigenous studies and algebra. Fifteen Aboriginal learners benefited.

Vancouver-Coast Mountain - $3,387,554 million investment to support 257 Aboriginal learners

$340,651 to the Capilano University and Lil’wat Nation partnership

Funding is to deliver the Mt. Currie Aboriginal Sustainable Employment program. Participants will receive upgrading courses that focus on trades, camp service worker, retail and customer service, and obtain industry certificates including occupational first aid, WHMIS, cashier training, Serving it Right and Foodsafe, along with supported work experience. Twenty-four Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$378,372 to the Vancouver Island University and Lil’wat Nation partnership

Funding is to deliver the Mt. Currie Aboriginal Sustainable Employment: Introduction to Construction Trades program. Participants will explore trades training with a focus on trades foundations, carpentry and supported work experience. Thirteen Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$288,154 to the Justice Institute of British Columbia, Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre and Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council partnership

Funding is to deliver the Justice and Public Safety Career Preparatory Certificate program. Participants will receive training that includes standard first aid, CPR for health care providers and the Adult Dogwood diploma along with introductory courses in collaboration with Native Education College. Eighteen Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$1,624,238 to the Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Squamish Nation partnership

Funding is to deliver the Skills and Trades Training for Aboriginal Students program. The program includes introduction to construction, environmental monitoring, piping foundations and carpentry. One hundred Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$397,884 to Vancouver Community College and Stó:lō Nation partnership

Funding is to deliver the Stó:lō Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Culinary Arts Pre-trades Foundation program. Participants will be prepared for entry into culinary arts programs. The pre-trades program includes essential skills, employment certificates (Foodsafe, first aid, WHIMIS and WorldHost) and a three-week practicum placement with a local restaurant. Forty-five Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$97,836 to the Northern Lights College and Seabird Island Band partnership

Funding is to deliver the Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma program. Participants will receive career preparation courses, along with work experience and opportunities for work placement. Thirty-three Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$260,419 to the Thompson Rivers University and Seabird Island Band partnership

Funding is to deliver the Integrated Welder Foundations program. Participants will access the welder foundations program that includes 10 modules of both theory and practical welding and an examination through the Industry Training Authority. In addition, learners will also receive job readiness training in a classroom setting and work experience opportunities. Twenty-four Aboriginal learners will benefit.

Vancouver Island and the B.C. Coast - $2,502,008 million investment to support 184 Aboriginal learners

$192,153 to the Camosun College and Tseycum First Nations partnership

$196,245 to the Camosun College and Pacheedaht First Nation partnership

Funding to both above mentioned partnerships is to provide ĆELÁSET, the Entry Level Employment and Education Readiness program. The program will provide five courses and six workplace certificates (including occupational first aid, Foodsafe, WHMIS, WorldHost, cashier training and Serving It Right), along with worksite experience. Thirty-two Aboriginal learners will benefit (16 in each community).

$642,977 to the University of Victoria and Haida First Nation University of Victoria: Haida Owned and Operated Sustainable Forestry Business program partnership

Funding is to deliver the Sustainable Forestry Businesses program. Entrepreneurial training will enable members of the Haida Nation to meet demand for local forestry contracts. The program also includes a mentorship component. Thirty-six Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$332,483 to the Vancouver Island University, Cowichan Tribes and Stz-uminus First Nation partnership

Funding is to deliver the Ta'tul'ut Shaqwaluwun Trades Exploration program. Participants will obtain certificates such as emergency first aid, WHMIS, and worksite safety. Program also includes adult upgrading courses. Thirty-two Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$558,030 to the Vancouver Island University and Heiltsuk Tribal Council partnership

Funding is to deliver the Aboriginal Ecotourism Training program. Through classroom time and experiential learning, participants will obtain university credits and industry certifications. This is followed by an eight-week internship. Participants will graduate with the skills needed for entry-level leadership and guiding positions working for resorts, wildlife tour operators, outdoor centres, and a variety of wilderness and adventure camp programs. Twenty-eight Aboriginal learners will benefit.

$533,220 to the Vancouver Island University and Nanwakolas Council partnership

Funding is to deliver the Stewardship Technicians Training for First Nations program. The program includes technical and field-based courses leading to potential employment as fisheries technicians, heritage surveyors, or environmental monitors. Thirty-two Aboriginal participants will benefit.

$46,900 to the North Island College and Nuxalk Nation partnership

Funding is to deliver the Adult Basic Education with Pathways to Employment Training program. Participants will upgrade their schooling in preparation for education and training programs leading to employment in the trades, health, and applied business technology fields. Twenty-four Aboriginal learners will benefit.