News

RSS Feed

« back
Government provides training and job opportunities for Aboriginal people Friday, 06 February 2009 British Columbia - BC Aboriginal people in the lower mainland and along the coast will gain skills and training needed to work in the construction industry and port-related companies through two new projects announced today. John Duncan, parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minster of Human Resources and Skills Development, at the Bill Reid Gallery.

"Canada's Economic Action Plan aims to create more and better opportunities for Aboriginal Canadians by investing an additional $100 million for Aboriginal Sills and Partnership projects," said Mr. Duncan. "This will provide training and skills development opportunities for over 3,000 Aboriginal people in BC through the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Program."

The VanAsep Training Society and Prince Rupert ASEP Society projects will provide training and long-term employment opportunities for Aboriginal people by working in partnership with Aboriginal organizations, local educational institutions and the province.

Gary McDermott, Senior Lead Aboriginal Apprenticeship of the BC Industry Training Authority said that "VanAsep has successfully provided apprenticeship opportunities for more than 300 apprentices in the last four years. We are pleased to continue supporting them as part of our effort to double the number of Aboriginal apprentices in BC."

VanAsep will provide assessment and screening for Aboriginal people to help them find jobs. Prince Rupert ASEP Society will help local Aboriginal people prepare for job opportunities at port-related companies in Phase 1 of the port development.

The Government of Canada is supporting these projects through its Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program. This program provides Aboriginal people with the training and skills they need to take advantage of job opportunities in industries such as northern mining, oil and gas, forestry, and fishery.

Through ASEP, the Government of Canada is aiming to train more than 16,000 aboriginal people and provide jobs for more than 10,000 Aboriginal workers.
The Government of Canada is contributing approximately $10 million to the VanAsep Training Society and $2 million for the Prince Rupert ASEP Society.


This news release is available in alternative formats on request. Call 1-800-788-8282 on a touch-tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

For further information, media may contact:

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minster Finley
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development
819-994-5559

Service Canada Communications
604-666-2337

---