BC First Nations Forestry Work Force Initiative
With a foundation of success built through the First Nations Forestry Training Program, the First Nation Forestry Council continues to recognize the need to build First Nations community capacity that matches growing needs for skilled labour within the forest industry. We are working to match emerging labour market needs within regions across British Columbia, strengthening the opportunities for capacity building within First Nations.
With an estimated 14,000 new workers needed over the next 5 years, the Workforce Initiative seeks to accelerate the growth and advancement of the BC First Nations forest sector workforce through capacity building, employment, training and business partnership development for BC First Nations already working in, or entering into, the forest sector.
This work is in collaboration with partners such as the federal government-sponsored Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS), the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, BC Timber Sales, the Federal Government, and Industry.
The primary goal of the Initiative is to increase the number of skilled and successful First Nations individuals employed and involved in the forest economy.
The forests have been the heart of First Nations communities for thousands of years; managing the forests, utilizing and stewarding this important resource. Our communities are engaging in the forest sector and currently hold as much as 15% of the Annual Allowable Cut. This participation represents significant Workforce opportunity within Aboriginal owned and operated businesses.
The First Nations Forestry Council is mandated to pursue training and capacity building programs in all aspects of the forest sector to empower nations to take advantage of opportunities within their territory to hold the jobs, and take leadership within their homelands.
We believe First Nations have the ability to not only fill the critical labour need, but also shape what the forestry workforce in BC will look like.