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Programs focus on Aboriginal learners’ success

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NORTH COWICHAN – Almost $11 million in investments is supporting two programs for Aboriginal learners in British Columbia, giving them more opportunities to gain credentials and develop important work skills as they prepare to enter B.C.’s labour market.

The Aboriginal Community-based Delivery Partnerships Program (ACBDPP) was first announced in June 2012 as part of the Aboriginal Post-secondary Education and Training Framework and Action Plan. ACBDPP is a two-year program that encourages education partnerships between public post-secondary institutions and Aboriginal institutes and communities.

Funding includes $7 million in provincial and Canada – British Columbia Labour Market Agreement funding, along with $2 million through Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada’s Active Measures Program. Thirty-one partnerships deliver programs for Aboriginal learners throughout B.C. in a diverse range of specializations, from skills training for employment in the oil and natural gas sectors to training that leads to certification as a teacher of indigenous languages.

An additional $1.9 million for B.C.’s Aboriginal Training for Employment Program (ATEP) will provide funding for 14 programs with Aboriginal-controlled organizations and service providers to deliver job-related training in essential skills and introductory trades training along with mentoring, coaching and support for students.

Since it was introduced in 2010, investment in ATEP has exceeded $8.6 million through the Canada – British Columbia Labour Market Agreement. By December 2012, nearly 900 Aboriginal people had completed ATEP programs offered by Aboriginal organizations throughout B.C.

Under the BC Jobs Plan, government is committed to providing funding for community-based delivery of programs that meet Aboriginal learners’ needs.

Quotes:

Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada –“The Government of Canada is pleased to support community based training opportunities for Aboriginal individuals through the Aboriginal Community-Based Delivery Partnership Program. This investment with our provincial partners is a practical measure to help First Nations youth reach their potential and participate more fully in Canada’s economy.”

Ralph Sultan, Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology – “By improving access to education, skills and trades training for Aboriginal students through programs like ATEP and the Aboriginal Community-based Delivery Partnerships Program, we can help Aboriginal communities to take advantage of economic opportunities, and support B.C.’s labour market.”

Ida Chong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation – “The skills that learners acquire in both programs will be vital to their future success. By facilitating and encouraging access to post-secondary education and training programs, Aboriginal communities and post-secondary institutions will play an important role in meeting B.C.’s labour market needs, and supporting the BC Jobs Plan.“

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour – “Building a skilled workforce in British Columbia is a key commitment for this government. With more than one million job openings expected across the province by 2020, we need to ensure that British Columbians have the skills and training they need to be first in line for the many opportunities coming our way.”

Quick Facts:

  • The Aboriginal Community-based Delivery Partnerships Program is accessible by Aboriginal learners who are 18 years or older and living in B.C.
  • To be eligible for ATEP, participants must be of Aboriginal heritage, 18 years or older, unemployed and not receiving EI benefits, or employed but without a high school diploma.
  • Nearly 25,000 students a year who enrol in public post-secondary education identify themselves as Aboriginal.
  • In 2010, over 2,700 credentials were awarded to Aboriginal students – a 17 per cent increase over 2007.
  • Under the Labour Market Agreement (LMA), the Government of Canada is providing the B.C. government approximately $66 million annually until 2013-14 to fund employment and skills training programs and services for employed people who are low-skilled and for unemployed individuals who are not eligible for Employment Insurance.
  • As a direct result of federal LMA funding, thousands of British Columbians are receiving training that will advance their careers, assist in securing new employment and ultimately improve the social and economic outcomes of individuals in B.C. and Canada.

Learn More:

Aboriginal Community-based Delivery Partnerships Program (ACBDPP)

ACBDPP was introduced as part of the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Policy Framework and Action Plan in 2012. Funding for this two-year program is being provided through the governments of British Columbia and Canada ($2 million from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology; $5 million from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement [LMA]); and $1 million in 2012-13 and $2 million in 2013-14 from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

ACBDPP partnership agreements to deliver programs for Aboriginal learners in British Columbia:

Partners:  Northern Lights College & Seabird Island Band
Funding:  $337,327
Program summary: Aboriginal oil and gas field operators – dual credit ABE and Adult Dogwood
graduation diploma at Seabird College in Agassiz, followed by oil and gas field operator
certificate training by NLC in Agassiz, and simulated oil and gas training in Fort St. John.

Aboriginal Training for Employment Program (ATEP)

ATEP was introduced in 2010 with an investment of $4 million through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement (LMA). As of the end of December 2012, $8.6M had been invested and more than 900 Aboriginal people had graduated from ATEP programs offered by 35 Aboriginal organizations.

The following service providers have agreements with the Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology to deliver programs for Aboriginal learners in British Columbia:

Proponent:  North East Native Advancing Society
Award: $150,000
Community: Fort St. John
Project summary:  Provide specific industry training and safety certificates, skills and career exploration for 15 participants entering or re-entering workforce in B.C’s Northeast region.

For full partnership listings visit:  http://www.news.gov.bc.ca/.