Aboriginal learners building skills for the future – The Daily Courier

November 29, 2014

OLIVER — Seventeen Aboriginal learners in the Okanagan are upgrading their skills and education as they prepare for employment through a community-based education and training partnership between Okanagan College and the Osoyoos Indian Band.

The program will provide Aboriginal learners with upgrading courses, employment readiness and workplace certificates. It is one of five new partnerships worth a total of $1 million that are enabling Aboriginal people to get skills and education in their communities to prepare for jobs in B.C.’s growing economy. Okanagan College and the Osoyoos Indian Band are receiving $160,517.

“We know B.C.’s job market is expanding, so it just makes sense to ensure we prepare workers with the skills they need for jobs,” said Boundary Similkameen MLA Linda Larson. “This partnership between Okanagan College and the Osoyoos Indian Band is good news for our local community.”

The other communities and organizations that will benefit from the partnership program with public post-secondary institutions are Squamish Nation, Xeni Gwet’in First Nations, Lhtako Dene Nation, and Ooknakane Friendship Centre and En’owkin Centre.