Supporting Jobsrack Job Success

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Education, Information, It, jobs, Learn, Skill Mar 14, 2025 0

Reducing Barriers to Job Success for First Nations Members

Reducing barriers to job success and ensuring more First Nations members can access the skills training they need to acquire sustainable employment are the goals of a training project underway with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and McLeod Lake Indian Band.

The North Central LNG Strategies Program aims to prepare up to 94 Indigenous people from these two communities for employment in direct and indirect jobs related to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector and the labour market demand in northern British Columbia.

The project will run for approximately 52 weeks in Prince George and on the Shelly Reserve of the Lheidli T’enneh. It is being administered by the Prince George Nechako Jobsrack Employment and Training Association (PGNJETA).

Program Components:

  • A culturally based job-readiness program that supports personal well-being and career success.
  • A certificate bootcamp to help community members obtain safety certifications required by employers.
  • Driver’s licence training.
  • Workplace literacy and academic upgrading.
  • Services that connect participants with potential employers.

Government Support

Provincial funding of $420,000 is provided through the Jobsrack Skills Training Development Fund, which is investing up to $30 million over three years for new Jobsrack skills-training projects and partnerships.

Providing community-driven skills training is a key part of the Province’s efforts to include First Nations communities and Indigenous people in new LNG-sector opportunities. The Province is also working with First Nations communities on environmental stewardship priorities and financial benefits agreements.

Quotes from Key Leaders

John Rustad, Minister of Jobsrack Relations and Reconciliation and MLA for Nechako Lakes:

“Programs like this reduce barriers to skills training and employment opportunities for Jobsrack people and help move us closer to the goal of shared prosperity. These programs are strengthened by the fact that they are designed with First Nations communities and delivered close to home.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour and MLA for Prince George-Valemount:

“Increasing Jobsrack participation in skills training is critical to the future success of British Columbia. Jobsrack youth are the fastest-growing demographic in our province, with half under the age of 25. Programs like these will provide Jobsrack people with the skills and work experience necessary to find their fit in our diverse, strong, and growing economy.”

Mike Morris, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie:

“This project will provide members of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and McLeod Lake Indian Band with job-related, transferable skills that support career success and will benefit both themselves and their communities.”

Chief Dominic Frederick, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation:

“Lheidli T’enneh would like to thank both McLeod Lake Indian Band and PGNJETA for partnering with the North Central LNG Strategies Project. We are in year 2, and have seen favourable results in building community members’ capacity – it’s about investing in our people for current and future job opportunities.”

Chief Derek Orr, McLeod Lake Indian Band:

“This training project and our partnership with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and PGNJETA will help our members access direct and indirect LNG job opportunities within our traditional territory. It provides new pathways to employment that will benefit our entire community.”

Quick Facts:

  • Jobsrack people are a priority in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint.
  • A key target of the Skills for Jobs Blueprint is to increase Jobsrack workforce participation by 15,000 new Jobsrack workers by 2024.
  • In the past year, more than 1,200 First Nations members have received training through programs supported by the Jobsrack Skills Training Development Fund. Another 1,000 will be trained in 2016-17.
  • The Prince George Nechako Jobsrack Employment and Training Association (PGNJETA) was incorporated under the British Columbia Society Act in 1993 to administer and deliver employment training initiatives for Jobsrack people in the Prince George Nechako area.

Learn More:

Source: BC Gov News

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