Up to 32 Aboriginal residents from the Metro Vancouver area are receiving training for welding and metal fabrication jobs, thanks to support from the federal and provincial governments.

The governments and the Industry Training Authority (ITA) have allocated more than $717,000 to the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS) to deliver two training programs at no cost to eligible participants:  

• $359,000 for the Welding Foundation Program and the Canadian Welding Bureau Certification in Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW) for 16 participants, and
• $358,000 for the Metal Fabrication and Marine Fitter Foundation Program for 16 participants.

Both programs are underway and will end in August 2017. To deliver the training, ACCESS has partnered with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), which provides training facilities at its Burnaby campus for students’ hands-on learning.

The programs announced today are funded through the Province’s Employment Services and Supports (ESS) program under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund. ESS funds a wide range of training, from job readiness and essential skills to entrepreneurial and trades training for unemployed or employed low-skilled, non-EI eligible individuals, including youth, women, Aboriginal people, immigrants and those under-represented in the trades.

The objective of the ESS program is to prepare British Columbians for entry to, or return to sustainable employment. In 2016-17, a total of $43.4 million was provided to the Province for all ESS programs. These include the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships programs, and other training programs delivered in partnership with the Industry Training Authority.

Quotes:

Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North –

“Welders, metal fabricators and marine fitters are in demand in B.C., which is why I am excited about the programs that the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society and BCIT are delivering right now. These programs will help Aboriginal residents from Metro Vancouver pursue rewarding, skilled trades careers in the future. I wish all the students the best of luck in their future careers, and thank you to ACCESS and BCIT for delivering these great programs to our residents.”

Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority –

“Industry Training Authority (ITA) is proud of the skilled trades programs ACCESS provides in partnership with BCIT to the Aboriginal community. Creating accessibility to trades training is one of the first steps to ensuring that all British Columbians have the necessary skills to be the first in line for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Foundation programs like these give students the much-needed hands-on experience and enough technical training to start on their apprenticeship journey.”

John Webster, CEO and president, Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society –

“ACCESS is pleased to partner with the Industry Training Authority, the provincial and federal governments, to provide urban Aboriginal people with opportunities to gain the skills needed by employers in B.C.”

Wayne Hand, dean, BCIT School of Construction and the Environment –

“We are very pleased that the Province has provided this funding in support of the great work that ACCESS delivers and that once again BCIT has been selected to be their training partner. BCIT, and in particular, the School of Construction and the Environment, has a very close working relationship with ACCESS, an organization that we have partnered with for over 12 years on many training initiatives.”

Quick Facts:

Canada-B.C. Job Fund

• The Canada-B.C. Job Fund supports training programs that provide individuals the skills to enter and succeed in the job market. The funding is being made available through the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement.
• 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.

Learn More:

B.C. Jobs Plan: http://bcjobsplan.gov.bc.ca/

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