VANCOUVER – The Industry Training Authority in B.C. has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council to increase its members’ participation in the trades.
“The MOU establishes Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s and ITA’s working relationship in increasing Nuu-chah-nulth participation in trades and apprenticeship training leading to achieving Certificates of Qualification, Certificates of Apprenticeship, and Red Seal endorsement which advances the betterment, prosperity, and well-being of the Nuu-chah-nulth peoples,” said Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council president, Judith Sayers. “As the MOU has been supported by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Board of Directors, it ensures that the interests we pursue are put forth by our communities and its members. We look forward to building our relationship with ITA to support educational and skills training that focus on Nuu-chah-nulth peoples within our communities.”
The tribe now becomes the sponsor of apprentices working on local projects, creating employment for its local communities and creating an “appropriate cultural approach to an apprenticeship pathway and experience” the agreement states.
Being an apprentice sponsor will make the tribe responsible for registering apprentices, tracking their hours, and working within their community’s Community Benefit Agreements to ensure contractors are hiring registered apprentices.
“Fostering an environment that gives Indigenous people more control over—and success in—trades training and apprenticeship is an essential part of our journey towards reconciliation,” said Michael Cameron, director of indigenous initiatives with ITA. “We’re confident that this will attract new and different contractors and urge those that haven’t been working with First Nations employers to work with them.”
The region has a number of construction projects that could be impacted by the agreement, including the construction of a Big House for the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k:tles7et’h’ First Nations.
Several training programs funded by ITA are starting in the community in September, including a Trade Sampler program followed by a Carpentry Foundation program, which are expected to increase the number of apprentices sponsored by NTC.
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribe live on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island.
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