Nineteen First Nations in British Columbia Opt-in to Skills and Training Initiative for First Nations Youth

Personalized skills training will be delivered to First Nations youth (ages 18-24) by 19 First Nations in British Columbia.

SASKATOON, SK, Jan. 31, 2014 /CNW/ - More than 250 young First Nation adults in British Columbia will be connected to skills training and jobs thanks to the Government of Canada's new initiative to improve on-reserve Income Assistance. These investments will provide personalized supports to First Nations youth as they secure the tools needed to find meaningful employment and reduce their reliance on income assistance.

In British Columbia, the Okanagan Indian Band, Seabird Island, and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) will be implementing the new Enhanced Service Delivery in 19 First Nation communities. All of the 19 of First Nations communities are participating at the request of their local First Nations leadership. These organizations will be working with Okanagan Training and Development Council, Sto:lo Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training and the NTC to provide on-reserve First Nations youth ages 18-24 with personalized assessments and job training plans.

This is part of the over $19.4 million in funding being provided this year by the Government of Canada to 22 Tribal Councils, First Nations and First Nation organizations to begin work in 70 First Nation communities across the country, providing support to young First Nations income assistance clients. A total of 22 pairs of joint proposals (22 Enhanced Service Delivery and 11 First Nations Job Fund) were approved. Together these organizations will ensure that eligible income assistance clients have access to necessary training through the newly created First Nations Job Fund.

Quick Facts

• An integral component of the Enhanced Service Delivery initiative is case management. Case-workers will work with individuals to identify barriers to employment and to develop a personalized plan to address those barriers. This announcement represents the next steps in the implementation of the Economic Action Plan 2013 commitment to invest $241 million over four years to connect First Nations youth between the ages of 18 and 24 to skills training and jobs.
• This approach builds on the success of recent pilot projects and partnerships being undertaken across Canada, where the Government of Canada has been working with the provincial governments, First Nations and the private sector to link First Nations Income Assistance clients with training and jobs.
• These initiatives will begin over the course of the coming months across the country, as First Nations communities lead the effort to work with their youth on jobs and prosperity.
• First Nation youth will have access to a range of services and programs aimed at increasing their job prospects and supporting them as they move into the workforce, including: basic life-skills training, skills training and career counseling.

Quotes

"Our Government continues to take concrete steps to create the conditions for more prosperous, self-sufficient First Nation communities. Investing in jobs and skills training will lead to greater First Nation participation in the economy, healthier First Nation communities and a stronger Canada."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"We believe in empowering young First Nation people, and by having access to the skills and training needed, they will be able to compete for and secure a job. As a result of this program, young First Nations income assistance participants in 19 First Nation communities in BC will be able to take advantage of job readiness training skills to succeed in the job market."

James Moore
Member of Parliament; Port Moody, Westwood, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia

"The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council is excited to be one of the three First Nations groups in British Columbia selected by the federal government to implement Enhanced Service Delivery, with seven of our Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. NTC strives to achieve efficiencies in program delivery through horizontal integration, so we are excited at this opportunity to offer enhanced delivery between NTC Social Development and Employment & Training departments. We look forward to reducing dependence on social programs and empowering our Nuu-chah-nulth citizens to pursue training, education and employment opportunities."

Deb Foxcroft
President Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council.

"We, as a part of the Okanagan Nation, are pleased to be a part of the Enhanced Serviced Delivery Initiative. The goal is to provide support services to our 19-24 year olds, while they gain the knowledge required to become self-supporting. The Enhanced Service Delivery initiative will help our youth to move forward in a progressive and positive way, which will be of benefit to our communities. We look forward to the successful implementation of this initiative and to the future success of our youth."

Norman Hatlevik, Director
Health and Social Development, Okanagan Indian Band

"Seabird Island Band looks forward to the Enhanced Service Delivery/First Nations Job Fund longer term commitment from the Government of Canada. We believe in the success of our people, empowering our members and those neighboring Nations, working with the Seabird Island Band Centre of Excellence, with the supports to achieve independence. Ultimately, the success of our youth and young adults will impact community change, where dependency on Income Supports is reduced and independence through employment is achieved."

Clem Seymour, Chief
Seabird Island Band

Related Products

Backgrounder - Improved On-Reserve Income Assistance Program
Backgrounder - Income Assistance: Perspectives on Active Measures

Associated Links

• January 31, 2014 - Harper Government Connects First Nation Youth with Personalized Skills and Training
• June 12, 2013 - Harper Government Invests in Skills & Training for First Nation Youth
• Improving Income Assistance
• First Nations Job Fund
• Canada's Economic Action Plan

SOURCE: Government of Canada

Erica Meekes
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160

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