School of Trades and Technology

Funding for the Indigenous People in Trades Training initiative (IPTT) is provided through the Canada–British Columbia Workforce Development Agreement. The IPTT program is open to eligible Indigenous people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels. Funding offers assistance to cover tuition, books and tools to those that are eligible.

Camosun, through our Indigenous Peoples in Trades Training office, offers two different trade avenues:

• Trades Skills Foundation for Indigenous peoples program, and/or
• Direct entry into one of Camosun’s skilled Trades Foundation programs

Trade Skills Foundation (exploratory program)

Participants will work in the classroom and various shops exploring a variety of trades, career paths, industry demands and safety practices/training. Trades covered may include:

• Automotive
• Carpentry
• Electrical
• Fine Furniture
• Plumbing
• Professional Cook
• Sheet Metal

Program Schedule:

• Length: 12 weeks
• Days: Tuesday-Friday, 8:30am-3pm (days/times/location/subject to change with adequate notice)
• Location: Camosun College, Interurban Campus (map)

Program Start Dates: (Limited seating available)

• TBD

If you are interested in this program, please contact one of the Coordinators below.

Direct Entry Foundation Training

Camosun Indigenous Peoples in Trades Training offers sponsorship for eligible and selected Indigenous people in their pursuit of becoming a tradesperson by supporting Foundation training at the college. To apply for IPTT sponsorship for Foundation programming, applicants must contact an Indigenous Coordinator (see below) and need to have the pre-requisites required for the Trade Foundation program of their choice (see Admission Requirements tab).

Funding Requirements

The IPTT program might be right for you if you are an Indigenous person who is:

• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person (under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27) legally entitled to work in Canada;
• Living in British Columbia
• Not a full-time student (not enrolled in high school or post-secondary training)
• Not actively participating in another provincially or federally funded labour market program, and 
• whose employment status is:
  1. Unemployed, or working less than 20 hours per week, or
  2. Precariously Employed – meaning an individual who does not meet the definition of Unemployed, but who:
     
     1. is working in unstable or unsustainable employment (including self-employment) as evidenced by:
        
        1. unreliable remuneration (such as piece-work or commission); and/or
        2. irregular hours of work (such as casual labour or on-call work);     
        3. earnings that cannot support an individual or their family; or
     2. is working, but has a total employment (including self-employment) income that is below the market basket measures set out by Statistics Canada (speak to program service provider for further details) or refer to https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1110023001;
     3. is working in an industry or occupation that is likely to be replaced by technology or automation in the near future;
     4. is working in an occupation or profession that is clearly lower than their skills or qualifications and that provides no imminent prospect of advancement; or has Just Cause for leaving their current employment (speak to program service provider for further details regarding Just Cause).

Funding requirements information