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 them鈥攆or various reasons鈥攐n their path to becoming a certified tradesworker.

鈥淣ow the M茅tis Nation of B.C. will act as that sponsor,鈥� Cameron told the Cloverdale Reporter. 鈥淭hat sponsorship is so critical to helping (tradesworkers) move along the apprenticeship stream.鈥�

He said the new sponsorship program鈥攖o be coordinated and run by the MNBC鈥攚ill be available to all M茅tis in B.C.

鈥淚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,鈥� said Clara Morin Dal Col, president of MNBC.

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鈥淐ompleting trades training will have a major impact on not only the individual, but it also sets an example for future generations.鈥�

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.

鈥淚t is yet another way that MNBC can support its most valuable resource鈥攊ts people.鈥�

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.

鈥淣ot everyone has access to companies that can provide sponsorship,鈥� she said, adding that it is especially difficult in remote areas.

鈥淲e can do that now,鈥� she added. 鈥淭hey will be able to continue to move forward, get their certificates, and advance in trades training.鈥�

Cameron noted the new agreement will also aid the ITA.

鈥淭his will also help us understand M茅tis culture better,鈥� he said. 鈥淏y understanding the culture better, it puts us in a position where we are better able to help break down barriers鈥攖o help make it more possible for M茅tis people to be successful at trades training across B.C.鈥�

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

鈥淚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.鈥�

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 鈥淎pprenticeship Advisors鈥� link.

editor@cloverdalereporter.com
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