Aboriginal Community Career Employment
Services Society
Vancouver, British Columbia
Employment and Training Initiatives For Urban
Aboriginal Residents of Metro Vancouver
• Resources for Job Search
• Employment Counselling
• Individual Client Funding
• ACCESS Programs
• Essential Skills For Aboriginal Futures
• BladeRunners
• ACCESS Trades
Guiding Principals
ACCESS’ Mission
To provide training and human resource
development opportunities that inspire, nurture and
encourage urban Aboriginal people on their
journey to success
ACCESS’ Vision
We envision an Urban Aboriginal Community
empowered through culture, wellness,
achievement and self-sufficiency
Values
All activities guided by a core set of values
History
1999 – Established as a co-operative venture of the offreserve Aboriginal community of Metro Vancouver.
Conceived by the Native Education College, United
Native Nations Society, and Vancouver Aboriginal
Friendship Centre.
2001 – ACCESS became a duly incorporated BC nonprofit Society
Funding
Aboriginal Human Resources Development
Agreement (AHRDA)
Aboriginal Skills, Employment & Training Strategy
(ASETS)
Other Sources of Funding
• Government of Canada – ASTSIF, OLES
• Province of BC – ATEP, BladeRunners
• Metro Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Strategy
• Industry Training Authority – ACCESS Trades
Employment Assistance Services
Five offices strategically located throughout Metro
Vancouver
First point of contact for our urban Aboriginal Clients
Intake, assessment and referral to ACCESS Trades and
all other Programs
Process funding applications – liaise with BC Ministry of
Housing and Social Development regarding EI and
Social Assistance clients
ACCESS Trades
‘Apprenticeship – The Framework for Canada’s renewable resource’
ACCESS Trades was established to provide
the urban Aboriginal Community with entry
into certified training programs. ACCESS is
committed to sponsoring trades training in
occupations that lead to apprenticeship and
Red Seal or Provincial Certification.
Rachel Fifi
Level III Joiner
ACCESS Trades monitors the
progress of over 250 apprentices in
over 20 different trades. In the last
two years over 19 of our apprentices
have achieved Red Seal Certification.
Over 10% of our apprentices are
women.
ACCESS Trades is designated by the ITA as a sponsor for
Aboriginal apprenticeship.
ACCESS has two apprenticeship counsellors on staff to assist
our Aboriginal apprentices:
• with information about the various trades
• registration for apprenticeship training
• registration of their apprenticeship with the ITA
• Submit work base training hours
• Apprenticeship Grant Applications
• Liaise with employers/ instructors and other counsellors
• Mentorship and support for the full term of their apprenticeship.
Ross Demers
Red Seal Automotive
Service Technician
ACCESS partners with the British
Columbia Institute of Technology
and other accredited trainers to
provide our trainees with the
quality training they need to
compete in today’s job market.
Bill Campbell
Level I Plumber
ACCESS Trades has sponsored
foundation and apprenticeship
programs in plumbing, joinerybench work, sheet metal, metal
fabrication, carpentry, automotive
refinishing and collision programs
in partnership with BCIT and the
Native Education College.
Barriers:
Olaf Husvik
Level III Joiner
• Financial
• Low education levels
• Lack knowledge of apprenticeship
• Poor life skills
• No job search skills
• Keeping the job
• Recession
Financial Barriers :
Jason McArthur
Level III Plumber
• Paid tuition
• Text books and classroom supplies
• Work Boots and other safety equipment
• Living allowances
• Bus passes
• Lunches
• Hand tools
Educational Barriers:
Lee Langlois
Red Seal Plumber
• Onsite tutoring
• Longer programs
• Evening classes at VCC
Lack Knowledge of Apprenticeship
• Apprenticeship Counsellors
• Job Coach
Russell Kennedy
Level II Metal Fabricator
Lack Life Skills:
Bobbie-Joe Delorme
Level IV Diesel Mechanic
• Workplace responsibilities
• Finding solutions
• Professional instructors & staff
Lack Job Search Skills:
• Employer network
• Partnerships
• Wage subsidy
• Intense job search support
Keeping the Job:
• Quality training
• Tools and safety equipment
• Transportation
• Understanding the employers needs
• Understanding the construction environment
• Support from ACCESS Trades
Recession:
• Skills upgrading
• Tune up job search skills
• Take employment outside trade to build
and maintain a solid work history
• Be informed about subsidies & grants for
employers
Future Plans:
• TOWES and Essential skills upgrading
• Prepare Red Seal Journey people for positions as instructors
• Continue to expand the number of certified trades