Gitxaala Nation Continuous Learning Centre (Lach Klan, BC) and the Employment Education Development Centre (Prince Rupert, BC)

Both the Continuous Learning Centre (CLC) and the Employment Education Development Centre are owned and operated by the Gitxaala Nation. The CLC, located in the Gitxaala village of Lach Klan, BC and its sister centre the EEDC, located in Prince Rupert, were created to serve Gitxaala community members with their Literacy and Essential Skills building leading to more technical training and employment opportunities. Both centres deliver ES training initiatives that are developed by and for the community in order to meet the specific training and employment needs of community members. Our Vision is that Gitxaala Nation is: Thriving, Healthy and Employed.

The Gitxaala Continuous Learning Centre (CLC)
Located in the village of Lach Klan, the CLC has been delivering ES training programs to members of the Lach Klan community for 2.5 years. Due to the remoteness of their location, Gitxaala community members had to leave their community to pursue occupational skills training. When outside skills training programs were brought into the community it was very costly and there was no real attachment to the community itself. The Gitxaala Nation decided they wanted to develop, design, manage and deliver their own training programs. After reviewing the successful ES training model being delivered by ACCESS’ Essential Skills for Aboriginal Futures the Gitxaala Elected Chief and Council decided to adopt and modify this urban training model to fit the needs and realities of their remote environment The Continuous Learning Centre was created in order to provide tailored ES training to community members in their own community.

The Gitxaala Employment Education Development Centre (EEDC)
The EEDC was established about 18 months ago and services Gitxaala community members living in the more urban environment of Prince Rupert, BC. While Prince Rupert has high unemployment there is a lack of trained employees and on the whole more employment opportunities for Gitxaala community members living in this area. The EEDC is not only providing ES training programs but is engaging with the community by providing a series of more informal time-limited “clubs” addressing topics such as Career Exploration, Job search, Computers and Life Skills. The EEDC, while targeting Gitxaala community member, has also offered their programming to other Indigenous peoples living in the Prince Rupert region.

Gitxaala Training Model
The Gitxaala program model consists of an upfront 6 to 12 weeks ES training program followed by specific occupational skills training. While all 9 Essential Skills are integrated throughout every component of the program, ES instruction targets those ES most important to the specific occupation for which participants are being trained. Occupation skills training is aligned to Gitxaala Nation economic development projects and desires as well as regional/local labour market demands. Programming has included Professional Cooks training (levels I and 2), Bridge Watchman Certificate Training, Carpentry (level 1), and Careers in Forestry. A program in Early Child Hood Education is being planned for the future. Program duration varies depending on the required length of the occupation skills training and services an average of 12 participants per training program.

Currently each centre delivers approximately one ES Training program per year. The two centres work closely together, sharing mutual goals, resources, talents and expertise.
All Gitxaala programs are guided by the following principles:
• Built within and for the Gitxaala Nation
• Located and delivered in the community
• Building community capacity by training program trainers from within the community
• Involving community and culture
• Continuously improving programming
• On the job learning
• Supporting learners
• Ensuring sustainability
• Strong Partnerships


Location British Columbia
Download project details
Contact

Francesca de Bastiani or Kirsten Barker, Gitxaala Nation Continuous Learning Centre
essentialskills@gitxaalanation.com
64 Ocean Drive Kitkatla, BC V0V1C0

Project Details
Community Urban, Remote
Scope of Project Regional, Local
Target Audience First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Youth (15-30 yrs), Adults (31-49 yrs), Older workers (50+ yrs), Persons with disabilities, Other