91Ƶ

Skip to content

Agreement signed to help more B.C. Métis get skilled trades jobs

New MOU will help to 91Ƶincrease trades education and employment for Métis people in B.C.91Ƶ
20453555_web1_200212-CLR-ITAinksMOUwithMNBC-signing_1
Michael Cameron (left), director of Indigenous initiatives for the Industry Training Authority, and Clara Morin Dal Col, president of Métis Nation British Columbia, sign an MOU to help 91Ƶincrease trades education and employment for Métis people in B.C.91Ƶ (Photo: Malin Jordan)

The Métis Nation of B.C. has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Industry Training Authority to help Métis 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 Métis that want to go into the trades is that they have hard time accessing a company that will sponsor them91Ƶfor various reasons91Ƶon their path to becoming a certified tradesworker.

91ƵNow the Métis Nation of B.C. will act as that sponsor,91Ƶ Cameron told the Cloverdale Reporter. 91ƵThat sponsorship is so critical to helping (tradesworkers) move along the apprenticeship stream.91Ƶ

He said the new sponsorship program91Ƶto be coordinated and run by the MNBC91Ƶwill be available to all Métis in B.C.

91ƵITA has been a strong supporter of Métis people in B.C., and the signing of this MOU ensures that Métis apprentices will always have access to a sponsor as they move through their trades training towards their Red Seal,91Ƶ said Clara Morin Dal Col, president of MNBC.

  • SEE ALSO:
  • SEE ALSO:

91ƵCompleting trades training will have a major impact on not only the individual, but it also sets an example for future generations.91Ƶ

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.

91ƵIt is yet another way that MNBC can support its most valuable resource91Ƶits people.91Ƶ

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 Métis tradesworkers.

91ƵNot everyone has access to companies that can provide sponsorship,91Ƶ she said, adding that it is especially difficult in remote areas.

91ƵWe can do that now,91Ƶ she added. 91ƵThey will be able to continue to move forward, get their certificates, and advance in trades training.91Ƶ

Cameron noted the new agreement will also aid the ITA.

91ƵThis will also help us understand Métis culture better,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵBy understanding the culture better, it puts us in a position where we are better able to help break down barriers91Ƶto help make it more possible for Métis people to be successful at trades training across B.C.91Ƶ

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

91ƵIncreasing 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.91Ƶ

MNBC represents roughly 90,000 self-identified Métis people in B.C.

Anyone wishing to find out about the program can call the Métis 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 91ƵApprenticeship Advisors91Ƶ link.



editor@cloverdalereporter.com

Like us on and follow us on



Malin Jordan

About the Author: Malin Jordan

Malin is the editor of the Cloverdale Reporter.
Read more



(or

91Ƶ

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }