New program to help Aboriginals build skills, training

[admin]

April 23, 2010

Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development

ABORIGINAL SKILLS PROGRAM BUILDS COMMUNITIES

VANCOUVER - The Province is investing almost $4 million in a new program to
help build skills and training for over 600 Aboriginal people in communities
across B.C., creating opportunities for participants to practice their new
skills and gain work experience, Minister Moira Stilwell announced today.

"Tapping into the labour market potential for B.C.'s Aboriginal people is
vital to meet our province's future needs for skilled workers," said Stilwell.
"This is another example of how government, the Aboriginal community and the
private sector can collaborate, creating new opportunities in skilled, well-
paying jobs."

The Aboriginal Training for Employment Program (ATEP) will deliver job-related
training in essential skills and introductory trades training, coupled with
mentoring, coaching and other retention tools through public, private and
Aboriginal-controlled training organizations around the province. Seventeen
Aboriginal organizations have partnered with industry education and training
providers to deliver services in over 60 communities.

"As demand for skilled labour increases and the average age of our population
continues to rise, Aboriginal communities, with their young and vibrant
populations will become even more important to the workforce of the future,"
said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills
Development. "Through the Canada-B.C. labour market agreement, we're investing
in the skills needed for the future success of our economy."

Once participants successfully complete their training, the ATEP program will
directly lead to employment in business and industry, as well as First Nations
economic development and self-governance projects of varying size throughout
B.C.

"Through the ATEP program, we're working with our partners in First Nations
and Métis communities to create lasting opportunities through skills
training," said Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation George
Abbott. "Participants will not only gain valuable skills for employment, but
in many cases will be able to immediately use their new abilities on projects
within and for the benefit of their own communities while building
experience."

"The Yekooche First Nation is a small, semi-remote community, and we are
working hard to find more educational and employment opportunities for our
people living on the reserve," said Chief Partner Schielke. "This program
enables us to train and hire up to 10 trainees, building skills and capacity
for our members through work in the community."

The B.C. government - working with academic, industry and other partners - is
enabling British Columbians to gain the skills needed to successfully
participate in our provincial labour market, and respond positively to
changing workplace demands.

Under the LMA, the Government of Canada is providing the Province with
approximately $66 million annually until 2013-14. Through a variety of
programs, these funds will support training for employed individuals who are
low-skilled and require essential skills, or require recognized credentials to
reach their full potential in the current marketplace. They will also help
increase access to training for unemployed individuals who are not currently
Employment Insurance clients, including but not limited to those who are
under-represented in the labour market.

For more information about B.C.'s labour market initiatives, please visit
www.workbc.ca.

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BACKGROUNDER

SKILLS TRAINING FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLE

The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development's Aboriginal
Training for Employment Program will be delivered in these areas in cooperation
with the organizations indicated:

Fraser Valley
Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia

Interior
BC First Nations Forestry Council
Xeni Gwet'in First Nations Government
Shuswap Nation Tribal Council Society

Northern
Prince George Native Friendship Centre
Tse Keh Nay Consortium
Yekooche First Nation
Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Society

Vancouver Coastal
Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS)
Musqueam Indian Band
Tla'amin Community Health Board Society
Tsleil-Waututh Nation
NEC Native Education College

Vancouver Island
KUU-US Crisis Line Society
North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society
Port Alberni Friendship Centre
Victoria Native Friendship Centre

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