Ministry of Advanced Education Workplace Essential Skills Initiative, phase 1 : Aboriginal learner focus

Page 1 of 57 Ministry of Advanced Education Workplace Essential Skills Initiative Phase I BACKGROUND In March 2008, Douglas College responded to the Ministry of Advanced Education’s request for expression of interest to conduct research, consultation and develop a report on the state of Essential Skills for Aboriginal learners across the province of BC. [...] The focus of our workshops and training is to build Essential Skills capacity by providing the knowledge and skills needed to integrate and deliver Essential Skills programming independently. [...] METHODOLOGY PROJECT ACTIVITIES In order to generate a comprehensive picture of the state of workplace Essential Skills training for Aboriginal / First Nations / Metis learners across the province of British Columbia, Douglas College conducted an extensive literature and website review and sought the input from Aboriginal. [...] Although the respondents skewed towards those with a vested interest in Essential Skills, it did ensure that those completing the survey understood what Essential Skills are and the issues surrounding Essential Skills in the Aboriginal / First Nations and Metis communities. [...] Page 10 of 57 Ministry of Advanced Education Workplace Essential Skills Initiative Phase I SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: ABORIGINAL LEARNER PROFILE British Columbia has one of the most diverse populations of Aboriginal people in all of North America.