Following news that a lack of federal funding is threatening the continuation of the BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association (BCAMTA) is poised to close for lack of federal funding (see “Funding crunch to close BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association” – June 7), Ottawa announced funding June 22 for two other B.C. aboriginal skills development programs.
The federal government announced just under $400,000 to provide skills development for 66 Vancouver aboriginal people, by funding the Aboriginal Youth Worker Project and the Aboriginal Practical Nurse Bridging Program.
Through the Aboriginal Youth Worker Program, 16 Vancouver participants will receive classroom training and do work placements to secure employment in the social services sector, where they will work with aboriginal children and youth in inner-city Vancouver.
Funding for the Aboriginal Practical Nurse Bridging program will provide training and work experience in the health sector for 50 program participants.
Following the announcement that the BCAMTA is poised to close due to lack of funding, the organization has stated that it is still in talks with Ottawa regarding this issue.
In a statement posted last week on the organization’s site, BCAMTA executive director Laurie Sterritt voiced optimism for the direction of the funding talks.
“While it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment on the direction and details of these talks at this point in time, what we can say is that as soon as we have anything substantive to share, we will be in touch,” she said.
