Mission accomplished!

Successful Human Resources and Skills Development Canada program ends

VANCOUVER, April 5, 2012 /CNW/ - An important element to British Columbia Aboriginal Mine Training Association (BC AMTA)'s funding ended on March 30, 2012. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) grant provided significant financial support during BC AMTA's start up phase and facilitated the association's remarkable success in the last two years.

ASEP's objective was "sustainable employment for Aboriginal people in major economic industries, leading to lasting benefits for Aboriginal communities, families, and individuals." It was geared to providing Aboriginal people with the skills needed to participate in economic opportunities such as mining, construction, fisheries and other industries.

"We are very pleased that we have surpassed the goals originally set out for the BC AMTA in the ASEP grant," declared Laurie Sterritt, BC AMTA's Executive Director. "260 Aboriginal workers are now gainfully employed in the exploration, mine development and mining industries and more than 60% of these individuals have transitioned from unemployment. With more than 150 Indian Bands represented in our candidate pool, we know there is strong interest from First Nations and our candidates are continually doing the work required to become the best person for the job."

With an original target of helping 148 people gain employment, the ASEP grant applied to Association activities in the Thompson Okanagan and Nechako regions of British Columbia. The development of additional partnerships with industry associations, educational institutions, individual companies and First Nations has widened the scope of BC AMTA programs, a development that could not have happened without the initial support of the ASEP grant.

"We are continuing to build the BC AMTA model," noted Sterritt. "and our approach with the exploration and mining sectors can now be applied to other industries where improving employment opportunities for Aboriginal people and closing an acute skills gap are linked. The ASEP grant allowed us to show our programs work now and in the future. With annualized wages in the range of $12.8 million, our candidates are on the road to economic health."

About the British Columbia Mine Training Association

The BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association is a federally registered charity dedicated to providing BC's Aboriginal people with the skills they need to work in the minerals exploration, mine development and mining industries.

The BC AMTA model uses partnerships among mining and exploration companies, industry associations, First Nations, government and educational institutions to recruit, evaluate, coach, train, and place Aboriginal workers in BC mining projects.

Please visit the BC AMTA website to learn about BC AMTA programs and services and watch our informative BC AMTA video.

Image with caption: "BC AMTA heavy duty mechanic candidate works toward mining industry apprenticeship (CNW Group/British Columbia Aboriginal Mine Training Association (BC AMTA))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120405_C3536_PHOTO_EN_12022.jpg

For further information:

Laurie Sterritt, Executive Director
BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association
[e-mail]
604 681-4321 ext. 112