For an up-to-date resource on publicly-funded employment programs across the province, check out our new BC Employment Program Hub!
Employment Program of BC (EPBC)
The Employment Programs of BC offers job search assistance, training, workshops as well as specialized services to all job seekers in the province. Immigrants, Aboriginal people, Francophones, people with disabilities, youth, older workers, multi-barriered people, and those living in rural and northern communities have equal access to this employment program. More information on the types of services provided by WorkBC Employment Services Centres located across the province can be found using the interactive map on the EPBC website.
Eligibility:
• Unemployed or underemployed (less than 20 hours per week)
• BC resident
Aboriginal Summer Student Internship Program
The Business Development Bank of Canada provides internship opportunities for Aboriginal students studying at Canadian post-secondary institutions. Students participating in this internship program would be able to receive training and gain valuable business experience.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal (First Nation, Métis, and Inuit) students
• Completed at least one year of college or university
And/Or
• Enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce or Business Administration program at a post-secondary institution
Aboriginal Tax Officer Apprenticeship Program (ATOAP)
The Canada Revenue Agency offers 24-month apprenticeship program for Aboriginal people complete with on-the-job coaching and training related to audit, client services, and revenue collections.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal (First Nation (status or non-status), Métis, and Inuit) students enrolled in their final year of a degree or diploma
Or
• Aboriginal employees who have a degree or diploma from college or university and are already working at Canada Revenue Agency or other federal agencies
Or
• Aboriginals who have obtained a degree or diploma from post-secondary institution
Update: We’re sorry, but unfortunately, this program is no longer available. Please go back to the Resources page for more related programs.
Canadian Forces Aboriginal Entry Program
This three-week program allows Aboriginal Canadians interested in a career in the Canadian Forces with an opportunity to experience military training and lifestyle in Canada’s military. The participants receive training, partake in military drill, and live in field conditions. Upon successful completion of the program, each participant receives $1,200 and a military achievement certificate.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal Canadians (Status, non-status, Métis or Inuit)
• 17 years and older – parental consent required if under 18 years old
• Must have completed grade 10 or equivalent but preference is given to those who have completed grade 12
• Meet the Canadian Forces common enrolment medical standard
The Bold Eagle Program provides cultural awareness camp and five-week basic military recruit training course during the summer for Aboriginal youths in Canada. Meals, accommodations, military uniforms, clothing, and equipments as well as travel expenses to attend the training are provided. Participants also receive $3,500 in salary.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal Canadian (First Nation, Métis or Inuit)
• 17 years and older – parental consent required if under 18 years old
• Must have completed grade 10 or equivalent
• Reside in western Canada or northwestern Ontario
Aboriginal Leadership Opportunities Year (ALOY)
This one-year program provides educational and leadership experience for Aboriginal youths through the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC). The program provides individual learning plans, leadership development, military training, cultural activities as well as field trips. Participants are enrolled in the Canadian Forces as an Officer Cadet and also receive free tuition and books.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal Canadians (Status, non-status, Métis or Inuit)
• 17 years and older – parental consent required if under 18 years old
• Must have completed grade 10 or equivalent
• Meet the Canadian Forces common enrolment medical standard
Aboriginal Training Program in Museum Practices
This program offers professional and technical training in museum work for Aboriginal people. Participants also have an opportunity to gain practical experience through practicum assignments in divisions of the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum. Small stipend, travel expense, and training are provided.
Eligibility:
• First Nations, Métis, and Inuit
• Have completed grade 12 or equivalent
Aboriginal Business Entrepreneurship Skills Training (BEST)
Aboriginal BEST program targets Aboriginal people who are interested in becoming self-employed and entrepreneur, and provides them with training sessions, business counselling, and mentoring. The 12 training session topics focus on entrepreneurship, market strategy, financing, and business plan presentation. This program is offered in various locations across B.C.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal people
• Interested in self-employment and entrepreneurship
Aboriginal Training and Employment Program (ATEP)
ATEP assists Aboriginal people in finding paid employment by offering services such as assessment, skills and computer training, and work or volunteer experience. ATEP programs are currently delivered by service providers in regions and communities across B.C.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal people residing in B.C.
• 18 years and older
• Unemployed, non-Employment Insurance client, not participating in another Labour Market Agreement program
• Not a student
• Legally entitled to work in Canada
Update: We’re sorry, but unfortunately, this program is no longer available. Please go back to the Resources page for more related programs.
Aboriginal Skills Employment Training Strategy (ASETS)
ASETS helps Aboriginal people in Canada find a job by providing training and skills development opportunities. Services also include specific programs for Aboriginal youth and Aboriginal people with disabilities. More information on the training and employment services provided by BC ASETS holders is available on the ESDC website.
Eligibility (for BC ASETS programs):
• Aboriginal people residing in BC
Trades Program for Aboriginal People
Industry Training Authority sponsors trades programs for Aboriginal people and programs are delivered by Aboriginal organizations and industry training providers in the province. Services include employment training, skills training and upgrading, and job placement assistance.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal
• Unemployed and non-Employment Insurance client for the past three years
Or
• Employed but low-skilled without high school diploma or recognized certification
Essential Skills for Aboriginal Futures (ESAF)
Delivered to the Aboriginal communities across BC, ESAF is an award-winning, innovative program that includes 6-week customized essential skills training. The program helps Aboriginal people develop foundation of skills that are needed for successful employment.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal people
• Unemployed, non-Employment Insurance client
• Legally entitled to work in Canada
• Must be referred by one of the Aboriginal Employment Assistance Services (EAS) in Vancouver
This innovative program is specially designed to help Aboriginal youth and adults discover their career paths through storytelling and self-reflections. It is highly recommended that practitioners interested in implementing this strategy to their program attend facilitator’s training workshops.
Aboriginal Youth Internship Program
This 12-month paid internship program in the BC Public Service provides Aboriginal youths in B.C. with an opportunity to develop their leadership skills.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal (First Nation (status or non-status), Métis, Inuit) residing in BC
• Age 29 or under
• Have attained minimum of Grade 12 education and some work/volunteer experience
First Nations and Inuit Summer Work Experience Program
The Summer Work Experience Program targets First Nations and Inuit full-time secondary and post-secondary students between the ages 15 to 30. First Nations and Inuit governments and organizations must submit eligible proposals in order to receive funding.
Eligibility:
• First Nations and Inuit full-time secondary and post-secondary students
• 15 to 30 years old
• Resident on-reserve, recognized communities, and on community lands
• Returning to full-time studies in the next academic year
Housing Internship Initiative for First Nations and Inuit Youth (HIIFNIY)
This internship initiative provides training and work experience related to housing for unemployed First nations and Inuit youths between the ages 15 to 30.
Eligibility:
• Unemployed youth between the ages of 15-30
• Resident of a First Nations Reserve or Inuit community
• Not a student
Mining Essentials is a work readiness training program for Aboriginal peoples who are interested in exploring a career in mining. This 12-week training program gives Aboriginal peoples with an opportunity to develop essential skills as well as work readiness skills that are required to work in the mining industry.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal
• Interested in a mining career
Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Training Program (APTP)
This 17-week summer Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Training program provides Aboriginal youth in Canada with an opportunity to receive training and experience police work. For the first three weeks, participants receive training in problem-solving skills, law enforcement techniques, public speaking, and cultural diversity at the RCMP Academy (Depot) in Regina, Saskatchewan. Upon successful completion of the training session, participants are then posted to an RCMP detachment near their home community where they will work with RCMP police officers on crime prevention and various policing initiatives for the remaining 14 weeks.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal youth (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) between the ages of 19 -29
• Canadian citizen with Canadian high school diploma
• Be in good physical condition
• Required to pass an enhanced reliability security check
• Has a valid, unrestricted Canadian driver’s licence
Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program (AYEP)
This program supports Aboriginal high school students by giving them an opportunity to improve their proficiency in subjects such as Math, English, Accounting, Marketing, Information Technology, and further build their leadership skills. As part of the school curriculum, the program provides classroom instruction as well as field trips to businesses and mentoring, in which Aboriginal students can network with successful business leaders, learn about business, and gain entrepreneurship experience. Funding is available to students who want to start their own business. Currently, there are three participating high schools in BC.
Eligibility:
• Aboriginal youth
• High school student in grade 11 and 12
Pacific Trail Pipelines Aboriginal Skills Employment Partnership (PTP ASEP)
With an aim to reduce barriers to employment for Aboriginal people, PTP ASEP Training Society provides Aboriginal people living in 15 First Nations communities across BC with an opportunity to learn new technical skills in trades that would allow them to work in different trades occupations. Some of the most recent training programs added are 16-week Mineral Processing Operating course and five-week Environmental Technician Certificate course. Other services include community recruitment and information sessions, job coach, core skills training courses, and job placement and referrals. Training programs and courses are delivered in partnership with First Nations communities and other organizations.
Eligibility:
• First Nations
• Unemployed and non-Employment Insurance client (must not have received or been eligible for EI in the last 3 years)
Or
• Employed but low-skilled
• Not a student
