Tahltan Central Council Celebrates Aboriginal Mine Training Partnership

VANCOUVER , Jan. 19 /CNW/ - The Tahltan Central Council is pleased to announce the formation of a minerals and mining specific Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) which will train and employ 148 Aboriginal participants. Many of the training opportunities provided will directly benefit the Tahltan Nation and increase established partnerships between the Tahltan Nation and BC's mining industry. A three-year program, administered by the BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association (BC AMTA), will provide skills training in the northwest and central interior regions of British Columbia. This program is made possible through collaborations with fifteen partners, six of which have made employment commitments for Aboriginal participants.

"The Tahltan Nation has had a strong commitment to working with mining organizations in BC, and this program only further strengthens our resolve to continue to do so," says Rob McPhee, Vice-Chair of the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation and ASEP Board member, "the training and employment of our people in all aspects of mining and mineral exploration is essential in moving forward and creating a strong vision of the future." A total of $27.1 million dollars is being committed to this program, with the bulk of the funding coming from Industry and Associations, along with a contribution from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada .

Many of the participating partners in this program are already directly involved in cooperating with the Tahltan Nation. Hard Creek Nickel Corp, Teck and Copper Fox are just a few of the corporations that have pre-existing working relationships with the Tahltan Nation. Through the BC AMTA further training to-employment plans will cover a broad range of opportunities including: literacy and academic upgrading, job specific training and apprenticeships, retention counselling and other on the job support.

"Through specialized training and experience, our Nation will be able to work collaboratively with companies in developing a better future for both the mining industry in BC and First Nations communities," says Chair person Annita McPhee, leader of the Tahltan Nation, "we look forward to building capacity in our aboriginal communities and are excited that our people will attain transferable skills beyond the life of a mining project."

ASEP is a labour market program that provides Aboriginal people with the skills development and work experience they need to participate in large-scale industrial sectors including forestry, mining, and gas, construction and hydro electric development. Human Resources and Skills Canada provides federal funding to the partnerships.

For further information: Annita McPhee, Chair, Tahltan Central Council, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]