The Alberta government says it is investing $1.9 million more over two years through a federal-provincial grant to support Alberta Indigenous Construction Career Centres at NorQuest College and Bow Valley College. The centres connect unemployed Indigenous people with employers looking to fill construction-related jobs.
“Indigenous people are hard-working, entrepreneurial and important contributors to Alberta’s economy,” said provincial labour minster Chistina Gray. “As we work to make life better for everyday Albertans, this additional investment will improve access to training opportunities and help more Indigenous people find good jobs in a key industry.”
The Alberta government contributed $1 million to pilot the project in March 2015. The additional $1.9 million is expected to help approximately 1,700 people.
The service offers a broad range of services to job seekers, including:
- career coaching
- résumé development
- safety courses, workshops and training
- job search supports
- Indigenous understandings are built into the training to reduce barriers Indigenous people face when looking for employment.
The Alberta Indigenous Construction Career Centres are funded through the Aboriginal Training to Employment Program (ATEP) in partnership with NorQuest and Bow Valley colleges, the federal government, and Indigenous communities. ATEP funds training and work experience projects that lead to employment for Indigenous Albertans.
