Ottawa’s Algonquin College has announced the expansion of a national project designed to help Indigenous youth obtain trades training while attending school.

The Indigenous YouthBuild Canada program connects First Nations communities with educational institutions, government, and corporate partners to help Indigenous youth acquire job-ready skills while extending their education. The program was launched in May at a cost of $1.2 million, and helped to connect 80 Indigenous youth with trade skills and schooling.

That success set the stage for a longer-term program. Algonquin College announced on December 16 that it has received $7 million in further funding from Employment and Social Development Canada to keep the program running over the next three years.

The extra funding will enable Algonquin to team up with four post-secondary institutions and two Indigenous organizations spread across Canada to provide First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth with earn-as-you-learn opportunities.

“The enhancement of the Indigenous YouthBuild program and Algonquin’s role in it underscores our commitment to the principles of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” said college president and CEO Claude Brulé. “At a very concrete level, the program offers a way forward for Indigenous youth to fully participate in the building of their communities and the wider Canadian community.”

Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, lauded Algonquin’s involvement.

“Right now, Indigenous youth are facing serious challenges finding work and educational opportunities due to the impacts of COVID-19,” she said. “As Canada works to build back better, Indigenous YouthBuild Canada’s project will help so many Indigenous youth reach their potential – offering opportunities to gain valuable job experiences and skills, all while working on projects that matter to them and their communities.”

Algonquin College’s partners in the expanded project include the Akwesasne Education & Training Institute in southwestern Quebec, the Atoskiwin Training & Employment Centre in northern Manitoba’s Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, the Manitoba Institute of Trades & Technology in Winnipeg, Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, Manitoba, Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, B.C., and Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, an Indigenous public post-secondary institute in Merritt, B.C.

With Algonquin providing oversight and managing the funds on behalf of the federal government, the partners will collectively bring nearly 360 Indigenous youth into the program.

“I am delighted to see this program expand,” said Ron (Deganadus) McLester, Algonquin’s vice-president, Truth, Reconciliation & Indigenization. “The pilot project provided those who participated with the opportunity to gain the skills and education they need to contribute to the betterment of their communities and transform their own hopes and dreams into lifelong success.”