Aboriginal training program sees big gains

285 per cent increase in annual post-graduation wage: Report

The dollars invested in training an Aboriginal job candidate for a career in mining have resulted in a 285 per cent increase in annual post-graduation wage, from an average of $13,754 to $52,959, according to a Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) report commissioned by the British Columbia Aboriginal Mine Training Association (BC AMTA).

"This report validates what we have been seeing — that the value of investing in training Aboriginal people extends beyond the individual, and the dollars are returned to society and to government," said Laurie Sterritt, CEO of BC AMTA, which partners with Aboriginal communities and industry to develop and deliver job-relevant training for Aboriginal people to enter the mining sector.

Funded by government and industry contributions, BC AMTA launched in January 2010 and by the end of March 2013 had placed 500 graduates into full-time jobs. The organization has expanded to six offices across the province and currently more than 1,700 Aboriginal candidates are pursuing upgrading and training.

Highlights of the report include:

•An investment of $14,808 trains one candidate and generates about $106,804 on average for the provincial economy.

•Each employed graduate generates about $20,489 in government revenue, which includes impacts from personal income taxes and indirect taxes.

•Since program inception, BC AMTA graduates have contributed an estimated $53.4 million to B.C.’s GDP.

•580 BC AMTA candidates have attained employment.

•On average, 20 candidates are placed into positions each month.

•Candidates work in more than 100 types of positions including: accounting, administration, carpentry, first aid, drill core, electrician, environmental monitor, human resources, mine processing, parts and superintendent.

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