Highlights
In 2023/24, the Indigenous skills training and education program provided $27 million in funding to First Nations and designated partner organizations, Métis Nation BC and BC Aboriginal Friendship Centres.
The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills (PSFS) provided $20 million in funding to First Nations and designated partner organizations. This funding supported community-led skills training and post-secondary education and supports to upgrade skills, secure employment, and grow local economies. Most programs include wraparound participant supports such as child care, transportation, life skills, counselling, and culture. The funding is delivered using a self-determined approach in which First Nations determine their needs and priorities, and the design and delivery of their skills training and education projects.
PSFS provided funding to Métis Nation BC to support community-led skills training and post-secondary education, and supports to upgrade skills, secure employment, and grow local economies. The types of programs vary and include: essential skills and upgrading; language revitalization; guardianship; driver’s license training; various trades training programs; and occupational certifications. The program is delivered using a distinctions-based approach in which Métis Nation BC as the representative organization of Métis Chartered Communities determine their needs and priorities, and design and deliver their self-determined skills training and education projects. The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills supports them in design and delivery, providing information, advice, connections, and flexibility as needed for the successful implementation of projects.
PSFS provides funding to support a range of programs that are intended to build capacity and support First Nations workforce priorities including providing funding directly to First Nations for self-determined, community-based education and skills training programs that supported 44 First Nations directly and an additional 24 First Nations who designated an organization to administer the funding on their behalf.
Funding is provided to Métis Nation BC and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres for Métis and urban Indigenous labour market programming. The majority of these programs are ongoing, outcome indicators are not yet known and will be reported in future years. These indicators will include the number of Métis participating in and completing a training program. In addition, the number of Métis people who move on to employment, further education, or training after a program will also be reported in future years. PSFS, in collaboration with Métis Nation BC will co-develop future success indicators that are meaningful.
How are we working together?
For direct funding, PSFS sends out a call every year to all First Nations to advise them of available funding. Staff work with interested Nations to support First Nation-led, community-based design and delivery of skills training and education projects based on their self-determined needs and priorities.
The Indigenous Skills training and education program staff work with Métis Nation BC, as the representative organization of Métis Chartered Communities, to provide funding for Métis people in B.C. PSFS also meets monthly with Métis Nation BC and prioritizes collaboration work based on mandate and capacity. In addition, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Métis Nation BC, and Employment and Social Development Canada have established a funders table committee working group that shares best practices, reporting, and effective co-ordination of provincial and federal labour market funding.
PSFS and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction meets monthly with the federally-funded Indigenous Skills and Employment Training holders to discuss best practices, share success, and discuss how labour market funding programs can better complement each other.
Are there challenges?
Demand may exceed the available budget in future years. First Nations Education Steering Committee and Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association have objected to the approach taken by the Province and First Nations Leadership have formally, through resolutions, advocated for greater First Nations control of administration of this funding.