At the beginning of 2018, the BC Energy Regulator announced a pilot program and partnership with several post-secondary institutions across the province. Five in fact – University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), Vancouver Island University (VIU), Northern Lights College (NLC), Coast Mountain College (CMC) and College of New Caledonia (CNC).

The mission: To provide tangible skills that benefit both individuals and their communities while promoting First Nations and Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the Regulator’s regulatory operations.

The result: The successful pilot of the Indigenous Education Program!

Over 54 participants from 22 First Nations communities participated in four training programs in the environmental field, including:

• Environmental Technician Certificate Program – five weeks – North Vancouver (Vancouver Island University)
• Environmental Monitoring – three weeks – Prince George (University of Northern British Columbia)
• Land Reclamation – three weeks – Fort St. John (University of Northern British Columbia)
• Environmental Field Techniques – eight days – Fort St. John (Vancouver Island University)

There was also $55,000 in scholarship funds established to be distributed over the course of five years. These scholarships are designated for Indigenous students studying trades, vocational, arts/science, business or engineering degree programs. You can check out more specific information on scholarships here.