The College of New Caledonia is partnering with Lhtako Dene Nation on a skills program for aboriginal learners to the tune of $145,200 in provincial and federal funding.
The community-based education format will pay the program fees for 12 students from the Quesnel area who hope to enter the trades after a skills upgrade.
It is one of five new partnerships aimed at helping 105 aboriginal students with employment readiness, upgrading courses and industry safety certificates for entry level trades access - for a total of $1-million in aid.
"B.C.'s job market is expanding - especially in the oil and gas and mining sectors - so it just makes sense to ensure we prepare workers with the skills they need to secure well-paying jobs," Coralee Oakes, MLA for Cariboo North, said in Friday's release. "These training partnerships build stronger communities and enhance the skills and employability of our residents."
To date, $7.4 million has been spent on partnerships between post-secondary institutions and local aboriginal communities. In April, the provincial government said it would continue to fund in-community training programs through its B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint.
