How are we working together?
Under the Indigenous Skills Training and Education (ISTE) program, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills (PSFS) sends out a call every year to all First Nations to advise them of available funding. Program staff work with interested First Nations to support First Nation-led, community-based program design and delivery of skills training and education projects based on their needs and priorities. This fiscal year, PSFS also provided direct funding to the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) to allocate to First Nations for community-based programming. PSFS and FNESC staff meet regularly and share funding information and reporting.
ISTE program staff also work with Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC), as the representative organization of Métis Chartered Communities, to provide funding for Métis people to support skills training and post-secondary education initiatives through MNBC’s Skills Training, Employment and Post- Secondary (STEPS) program. PSFS also meets monthly with MNBC and prioritizes collaboration work based on mandate and capacity. In addition, PSFS, MNBC and Employment and Social Development Canada have established a Tripartite Working Group to share best practices, reporting and how best to coordinate provincial and federal labour market funding.
PSFS also provided direct funding to the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres through the ISTE program to support education initiatives for urban Indigenous Peoples across B.C.
In summer and fall 2025, SDPR and PSFS held joint engagement sessions with BC First Nations, MNBC, and ISET program service providers to help inform future WorkBC Employment Services and PSFS training programs.
In 2023/2024, SDPR committed $23.3 million over three years to establish the New Relationship Trust Indigenous Labour Market Fund, a third-party granting program supporting First Nations governments and Indigenous organizations across B.C.in identifying and addressing employment gaps, training opportunities and barriers to participation in the workforce. To date, 100 projects have been approved, totalling $12.1million.Since April 2025, $6.68 million has been allocated to 56 projects to advance labour market goals and strengthen community capacity.
Between April 2025 and February 2026, SDPR Community and Employer Partnerships provided $0.5 million to Quatsino First Nation Economic Development Corporation, $0.36 million to Squamish Nation and $0.47 million to Kulspai Learning Village to fund Indigenous-led skilled trades training programs that help participants upgrade skills, earn credentials, secure employment and grow local economies.
Are there challenges?
Requests for funding from First Nations under the ISTE program exceed available budget.
PSFS has been using an interim approach to the administration of the ISTE program. FNESC and the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association have expressed concern regarding the current approach and whether it is meeting the needs of First Nations through a distinctions-based approach.
Early in the rollout of the Indigenous Labour Market Fund, SDPR and the New Relationship Trust worked collaboratively to identify that limited awareness of the fund among eligible recipients was impacting early uptake.
SDPR’s Community Employer Partnership Team recognizes that reporting requirements can be challenging for First Nations and is committed to keeping them streamlined and supporting Nations when reporting is required.
Highlights
The ISTE program launched for fiscal year 2025/2026 on July 21. ISTE program staff work collaboratively with First Nations to develop funding requests that are reflective of their priorities and cultural considerations. The program provides funding for in-community education and training opportunities. An unprecedented response was received and the program closed to requests for funding on September 15, 2025.This year, there are 47 contracts serving 68 First Nations serving an estimated 1,250 participants. Funding has also been provided directly to FNESC to administer to First Nations through its established First Nations-led processes. This approach has strengthened relationships with partners and supported the delivery of numerous post-secondary and Adult Basic Education programs in communities.
Since April 2025, a more informative SDPR website and proactive outreach at community gatherings, such as the First Nations Leaders’ Gathering, have helped increase Indigenous Labour Market Fund application numbers. Since October 2025, one new Community and Employer Partnership project has been added.
Previous years’ progress
Highlights
The ministry is managing over 80 skills training agreements with First Nations or organizations designated by a First Nations, Métis Nation BC and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres.
How are we working together?
For direct funding, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills 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 ministry has provided direct funding to the First Nations Education Steering Committee this fiscal year and meets monthly with them to further discuss program approaches.
Indigenous Skills Training and Education Program staff work with Métis Nation BC, as the representative organization of 28,000 Métis citizens and 39 Métis Chartered Communities, to provide funding for Métis people. The ministry also meets monthly with Métis Nation BC and prioritizes collaboration work based on mandate and capacity. In addition, the ministry, Métis Nation BC and Employment and Social Development Canada have established a Tripartite Working Group that shares best practices, reporting, and how best to coordinate provincial and federal labour market funding.
Are there challenges?
Requests for funding may exceed available budget. The ministry is monitoring program budgets closely and consulting with partner ministries on opportunities to fund complementary projects, if applicable.
The ministry has been using an interim approach to the administration of the Indigenous Skills Training and Education program. The Education Steering Committee and the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association have expressed concern regarding the current approach. A tentative plan to engage on the program approach with the Steering Committee, the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association, First Nations, First Nations partners, Métis Nation BC, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and urban Indigenous organizations, is anticipated for 2025.
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.