Thirty-five people from the Nisga’a Nation in the Nass Valley will learn skills they need to improve their lives, support their communities, create new opportunities and get sustainable local jobs, through new Community Workforce Response Grants.

The Village of Gingolx is receiving $197,997 to support 15 people. The funding will increase their employment options, with training to develop skills that will open doors to industries, including hospitality and tourism, and will be delivered by service provider Indigenous Community for Leadership and Development (ICLD).

The Nisga’a Lisims Government is receiving $300,000 to support 20 people in the villages of Gitlaxt’aamiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Laxgalts'ap and Gingolx in gaining management skills with the Nisga’a Canadian Aboriginal Management Program, delivered by the University of Victoria.

“Skills training in our community that meets the needs of our people helps us build up our future generations and make sure they have opportunities to succeed,” said George Moore, Gingolx Chief Councillor. “We’re pleased to be celebrating this new project and its students as we celebrate our future generations during this year’s Nisga’a New Year celebrations — the Hobiyee.”

“Capacity building in all areas is very crucial to improving the quality of life of the Nisg̱a’a Nation,” said Eva Clayton, Nisg̱a’a Nation president. “The Community Workforce Response Grant will allow our people to enhance their skills at home in the Nass Valley, while maintaining their strong cultural identity.”

The programs are funded through the Canada-B.C. Workforce Development Agreement. The funding supports the Province’s commitment to reconciliation through implementing the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as well as the articles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“Access to skills training can transform people’s lives, their families and their communities,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “Our government is committed to lifting as we climb, so everyone benefits from our strong economy in communities close to home. Investing in greater training opportunities that are relevant for the four villages in the Nass Valley will help even more people to thrive and succeed.”

A total of 16 Indigenous community projects throughout the province are receiving $4 million in 2019 through the Community Workforce Response Grant program, which will deliver skills for employment or self-employment to approximately 290 people.

Quote:

Mandi Sellers, CEO, ICLD —

“ICLD is dedicated to the facilitation and empowerment of Indigenous peoples through a diverse program that relates specifically to Indigenous communities and specializes in working in community. ICLD bridges contemporary and traditional resources with skills development. We believe we not only affect the individual, but also impact the families within communities, in turn changing the lives of children, youth, parents and all parts and under-represented sectors of the community. We stand with First Nation communities on this critical and important journey toward attaining self-defined community achievements, employment and economic accomplishment. Programs include employment training related to local businesses, personal and business skills improvement, working together to create high-performance teams, entrepreneur development and grief recovery.”

Quick Facts:

• The Community Workforce Response Grant is new as part of the Workforce Development Agreement between the Province of B.C. and Government of Canada, signed in March 2018. The program provides flexible and timely responses to emerging and urgent labour and skills needs in B.C.’s communities and sectors.
• The Village of Gingolx's Key to Employment program began Jan. 6, 2019, and runs for eight weeks. Training will provide participants with skills for employment, including numeracy, literacy, computer skills, communication and teamwork, as well as certification, including FoodSafe and World Host. Jobs will support the local tourist operations.
• The Nisga’a Lisims Government Nisga’a Canadian Aboriginal Management Program runs from March 1, 2019, until July 30, 2019. It is a dynamic course that combines intensive study with practicum experience, builds management skills in people and capacity in Nisga’a communities.
• The B.C. Labour Market Outlook expects that, over the next decade, there will be approximately 12,990 job openings in the North Coast and Nechako Region.
• Of the 900,000 job openings expected throughout the province through 2028, 77% will need some level of post-secondary education or training. The Province is working to ensure previously under-represented groups have the opportunity the participate in the strong economy.

Learn More:

WorkBC: https://www.workbc.ca

ICLD: https://www.icld.ca/