Through a partnership between the provincial government and industry, a combined $1.2 million will be invested in the Pathways to Success training program.
John Rustad, B.C. Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, made the announcement on the one-year anniversary of the province's launch of its Skills for Jobs Blueprint at the National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference on April 29.
Both the provincial government and a group of industry partners, BG Canada, LNG Canada and Pacific NorthWest LNG, will provide $600,000. Rustad said the government will support a number of programs, with Pathways to Success being the first of many initiatives to be supported.
The provincial funding is being provided through the new Aboriginal Skills Training Development Program, which in alignment with B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, is investing up to $30 million for new Aboriginal skills training projects and partnerships over the next three years.
“The blueprint has a goal of adding 15,000 more Aboriginal workers to British Columbia's workforce within 10 years,” Rustad said.
Put on by the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, the Pathways to Success program is delivered in Prince Rupert and Terrace. BG Canada sponsored 100 per cent of the first Pathways to Success program that wrapped up earlier this year.
The goal of Pathways to Success is to link First Nations people directly from training to jobs. Over the next six months approximately 192 participants from the Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, Lax Kw'alaams, Gitxaala, Metlakatla and Gitga'at Nations will be trained through it.
“One of the great things about this program is that it helps First Nations members first get job-ready with the essential employment skills they need, and then connects them directly with jobs,” Rustad said.
“This provides significant benefits for both First Nations members and their communities.”
“Skills training for First Nations people is a priority for our community. So it's good see government and industry supporting training that will help ensure more members of our community benefit from jobs in the LNG industry,” said Chief Clarence Innis of the Gitxaala Nation.