The M茅tis Nation of B.C. has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Industry Training Authority to help M茅tis people get more jobs in the skilled trades.

The MOU, signed Feb. 5, aims to open up access to trades sponsorships, said Michael Cameron, director of Indigenous initiatives for the ITA.

He said the main problem facing some M茅tis that want to go into the trades is that they have hard time accessing a company that will sponsor themsa国际传媒攆or various reasonssa国际传媒攐n their path to becoming a certified tradesworker.

sa国际传媒淣ow the M茅tis Nation of B.C. will act as that sponsor,sa国际传媒� Cameron told the Cloverdale Reporter. sa国际传媒淭hat sponsorship is so critical to helping (tradesworkers) move along the apprenticeship stream.sa国际传媒�

He said the new sponsorship programsa国际传媒攖o be coordinated and run by the MNBCsa国际传媒攚ill be available to all M茅tis in B.C.

sa国际传媒淚TA has been a strong supporter of M茅tis people in B.C., and the signing of this MOU ensures that M茅tis apprentices will always have access to a sponsor as they move through their trades training towards their Red Seal,sa国际传媒� said Clara Morin Dal Col, president of MNBC.

• SEE ALSO:
• SEE ALSO:

sa国际传媒淐ompleting trades training will have a major impact on not only the individual, but it also sets an example for future generations.sa国际传媒�

She added that the MOU is critical as is represents a commitment to Indigenous apprentices by the ITA.

In essence, the ITA will now recognize MNBC as a certified sponsor, just as it does with any company that sponsors tradesworkers.

sa国际传媒淚t is yet another way that MNBC can support its most valuable resourcesa国际传媒攊ts people.sa国际传媒�

Morin Dal Col told the Cloverdale Reporter getting an actual sponsorship, and therefore being able to access the apprenticeship programs, has been the biggest barrier facing M茅tis tradesworkers.

sa国际传媒淣ot everyone has access to companies that can provide sponsorship,sa国际传媒� she said, adding that it is especially difficult in remote areas.

sa国际传媒淲e can do that now,sa国际传媒� she added. sa国际传媒淭hey will be able to continue to move forward, get their certificates, and advance in trades training.sa国际传媒�

Cameron noted the new agreement will also aid the ITA.

sa国际传媒淭his will also help us understand M茅tis culture better,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淏y understanding the culture better, it puts us in a position where we are better able to help break down barrierssa国际传媒攖o help make it more possible for M茅tis people to be successful at trades training across B.C.sa国际传媒�

He said the partnership will promote collaboration between the Indigenous community, employers, businesses, and the ITA.

sa国际传媒淚ncreasing community- and regional-based training and employment raises the profile of trades professions as a high-opportunity career, not only for Indigenous people but also for all British Columbians.sa国际传媒�

MNBC represents roughly 90,000 self-identified M茅tis people in B.C.

Anyone wishing to find out about the program can call the M茅tis Nation of B.C. on 1-800-940-1150, visit their webpage , or call the ITA at 1-866-660-6011, or visit and search for the sa国际传媒淎pprenticeship Advisorssa国际传媒� link.

editor@cloverdalereporter.com
Like us on and follow us on