The BC Ministry of Advanced Education (AVED) announced today that TRU and community partners Alexis Creek First Nation and Northern Shuswap Tribal Council will receive funding to deliver education and skills training programs to 27 Aboriginal learners.
Program graduates will be eligible for jobs such as language support workers, human service workers and health care translators.
TRU’s two programs are receiving a total of $132,888 through the Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program in 2015-16. The funding comes from AVED and the Employment Services and Supports (ESS) stream of the Canada-BC Job Fund Agreement. Forty-six percent of the Aboriginal population in BC is under 25. Increasing their participation in the workforce is important to supporting a diverse, strong and growing economy.
“These training and education programs will help Aboriginal people in the region access job opportunities that are the result of retirements and economic growth,” said Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett.
Funding of $84,652 for the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council partnership will support delivery of the final leg of the Developmental Standard Term Certificate program to 12 Aboriginal learners in the Cariboo Chilcotin. Participants will enrol in the final year of the three-year, 92-credit program with academic, language, culture and education courses. Graduates will earn Teachers Regulation Branch certification and acknowledgement of the appropriate First Nations Language Authority.
Funding of $48,236 for the Alexis Creek First Nation partnership will support delivery of the university preparation, education assistant and community support certificate program to 15 learners at the Redstone Reserve. Participants will gain the skills needed to assist individuals with special needs. Graduates will also be able to transfer directly into year two of the Human Service Diploma program.
“TRU has a long tradition of delivering language, adult basic education, job readiness and trades training to First Nations communities from our campuses and directly with First Nation partners in their home communities,” said TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Alan Shaver. “We are pleased to be able to continue meeting the programing needs of these communities and to support the economic sustainability of the region and the province.”
Read: Giving Aboriginal learners the skills to succeed for in-demand jobs
“Aboriginal learners can now complete their education or training within their own communities,” said Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson. “Skilled workers will be able to secure jobs in sectors that support families as well as economic and social growth in our communities.”
In 2015-16, a total of $36.4 million was provided to the province for all ESS programs, including the Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships programs and programs available through the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training. The Canada Job Fund helps ensure training programs give individuals the skills to enter and succeed in the job market.
The programs support the BC Jobs Plan, BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, and the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Policy Framework and Action Plan (Aboriginal Framework).
