Harper Government helps to provide Aboriginal students at First Nations Technical Institute with tailored post-secondary skills and training

Canada's Post-Secondary Partnerships Program links education program to local labour market needs

OTTAWA, July 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Member of Parliament Daryl Kramp (Prince Edward-Hastings), on behalf of The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today announced support to the First Nations Technical Institute for a program designed and delivered to prepare First Nation and Inuit youth with the skills and training needed to join the labour market as community support workers delivering important healthcare information to Aboriginal people.

Member of Parliament Kramp announced that the First Nations Technical Institute is receiving $74,250 for Indigenous Community Diabetes Support program that will allow First Nation and Inuit students to build the skills needed to make a difference in diabetes prevention.

By promoting post-secondary education programming linked with labour market needs, the Government of Canada is ensuring youth are equipped with the tools and opportunities they need to find and hold meaningful, sustainable jobs.

The revamped Post-Secondary Partnerships Program (formerly the Indian Studies Support Program) aligns with government priorities by supporting post-secondary institutions to develop and deliver courses with a strong relationship to labour market needs.

Quick Facts

• AANDC's post-secondary education programs are specifically intended to support First Nation and Inuit students and provide them with the opportunity to acquire the skills needed to enter the labour market and be full participants in a strong Canadian economy.
• A total of 73 projects across Canada are receiving support to assist Canadian post-secondary institutions in the design and delivery of college- and university-level courses that respond to local labour market needs of First Nation and Inuit students.
• The Post-Secondary Partnerships Program was redesigned in 2013-2014 to introduce a competitive, national proposal-driven process based on merit and focused on meeting labour market needs.
• First Nation and Inuit students can also benefit from federal post-secondary education support such as the Canada Student Loans and Grants Program and Can Learn.

Quotes

"Creating and protecting jobs and opportunities is a priority of our Government. I am pleased that our Government is supporting the First Nation Technical Institute's program for Aboriginal students. Through specifically tailored curriculum and skills training, this project will ensure that students are better prepared to participate fully in Canada's growing economy."

Daryl Kramp
Member of Parliament, Prince Edward-Hastings

"Our Government is delivering results for Canadians and supporting measures that will help create jobs and opportunities for Aboriginal people. I firmly believe that a good job beats any social program out there; that's why our Government continues to support initiatives that will create concrete and lasting results in the lives of Aboriginal students. This is about getting the skills and training they need to find and keep a good job and improves their overall well-being."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"We thank the Government of Canada for this important contribution to our Indigenous Community Diabetes Support program. This funding will assist the First Nations Technical Institute train our students and better enable this critical message and training about preventing Type 2 Diabetes to get out to people at high risk."

Suzanne Brant
Acting President, CEO, First Nations Technical Institute

Associated Links

AANDC's Post-Secondary Partnerships Program
Post-Secondary Partnerships Program 2015-2016 Guidelines

AANDC's Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool
Canada Student Loans Program
Can Learn
Indspire
AANDC's Post-Secondary Education Programs

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SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Emily Hillstrom, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160