New careers for 11 students of new 12-week program

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A graduation ceremony for 11 students got underway at the Native Education Centre on Jan. 25, with a traditional welcome and comments from community representatives, including MLAs Lorne Mayencourt and Richard Lee.

A 12-week program designed in partnership with the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS), the Native Education Centre and British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), prepared the students with academic support, life management training, theory and the hands-on instruction they need to build careers in the piping trade.

"We wanted to provide access for Aboriginal people into a trade," said Helen Boyce, job development and training co-ordinator for ACCESS. "There is such a need out there for plumbers and people in the pipe fitting trade.

ACCESS offers a variety of programs and services that include career counselling, information about financing education, job search techniques, networking resources, job referrals and placements to enable Aboriginal community members to assist urban Aboriginal people through training and attaining employment.

According to Boyce, since this Aboriginal Piping Program has been so successful, ACCESS will continue to support the group until they complete their entire apprenticeship.

"It would be nice if this four-year program became a part of BCIT's regular programs, but I think for now we have to consider it a partnership," said Boyce. "We will be doing this again. BCIT and Native Education Centre have been incredible partners. They worked really hard to make this a success. The program has been well received by everybody and for that reason we will be able to proceed and offer the same type of programming."

All of the graduating students scored at least 70 per cent on their mid-term grades, and Boyce boasted that all 11 students are currently in apprenticeship positions.

Before starting their positions, all of the students registered with the Industry Training Authority in B.C. During their time with their employer, the tradesmen and woman will have to complete a set number of hours.

They need to work for approximately one year, on completion of which they will return to BCIT annually for next three years to complete the technical training.

"Sometimes an apprentice will stay with the same employer for over the course of their apprenticeship. Other times they might work for two or three employers," she said.

Boyce said once the students complete the pipefitting program they have the option of choosing from among four other trades, such as steam fitting, gas fitting, plumbing or sprinkler fitting.

"This program gives the skills needed to go directly into an apprenticeship, which is really great," said Boyce.

Most of this program is taught at the Native Education Centre using curriculum and instruction from BCIT. Students graduating from the program will receive Level 1 Apprenticeship certification.

For more information about the program, contact ACCESS at (604) 251-7955.

"People can leave their names on a waiting list because course dates have not been established yet," Boyce said.