Surrey, BC (September 09/2022) – Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) is proud to announce it has funded an historic number of Métis Post-Secondary students through the Skills Training, Employment, and Post-Secondary (STEPS) programs.
MNBC has several different funding streams to support STEPS applicants.
This fiscal year, MNBC’s STEPS programs has supported over 1,825 training and post-secondary education requests from Métis learners in BC (compared to the total of more than 1,500 in 2021-2022), totalling over $15.7 million dollars. As a result, all the funds MNBC has received from the government to fund post-secondary education have now been utilized.
In addition to funding a record number of Métis students, MNBC has also provided COVID-19 and technology supports.
920 students COVID-19 pandemic-related emergency supports have been provided to Métis learners totalling over $2.7 million dollars.
300 students have been provided with a laptop from BestBuy or the equivalent in cash towards the laptop of their choice
The average dollar amount per student commitment has increased by 6% in this fiscal year compared to last year. All clients are MNBC Citizens or have an active application in MNBC’s Central Registry as part of the citizenship-based funding initiative approved by the Board of Directors in October 2021.
While funds for post-secondary education have been fully utilized, MNBC continues to offer occupational skills training programs. These include job-ready training, non-diploma/degree programs, apprenticeships, trades, skills upgrades, certificate programs, and other short courses directly leading to employment. These programs are generally less than one year in duration as funding is negotiated annually and allows MNBC to provide wrap-around support related to this training.
Any existing completed STEPS applications and new applications for post-secondary education support will be placed on a waitlist and will be assessed and processed as funds become available. STEPS will continue to advocate for Métis learners in seeking additional funding support.
Quotes:
“It is so promising to see the year over year increase in funding our STEPS ministries have delivered,” says MNBC President Lissa Dawn Smith. “Supporting our citizens through their education and employment journeys will continue to be a priority for MNBC, and will equip our citizens with the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce.”
MNBC’s Minister of Skills Training, Employment, Post-secondary (STEPS), and Director of Region 7, Paulette Flamond, said “Funding yet another record number of Métis Post-Secondary students is a testament to the hard work of our staff in STEPS. As minister of this portfolio, I am proud of the work being done and look forward to another record-setting year in 2023.”