Programs & Services

Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society
Building Futures Today

---

Program Links

~ Employment Assistance Services Program ~

~ ACCESS Trades ~

~ Essential Skills for Aboriginal Futures ~

Our Programs are designed to help all our clients
to achieve their goals & aspirations

---

Employment Assistance Services Program

For assistance in finding employment, pre-employment training or other training/employment programs, please contact one of ACCESS’ Employment Assistance Services (EAS) sites below:

EAS Sites

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre
Employment Assistance Office
110-1607 East Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V5L 1S7
Phone: 604-251-7955

Aboriginal Connections to Employment
390 Main Street
Vancouver, BC V6A 2T1
Phone: 604-687-7480
Native Education Centre
285 East 5th Ave
Vancouver, BC V5T 1H2
Phone: 604-873-3761

ACCESS - Central Surrey
#201 - 10114 King George Hwy
Surrey, BC V3T 2W4
Phone: 604-582-4791

Kla-how-eya Aboriginal Centre
13629-108 Ave
Surrey, BC V3T 2K4
Phone: 604-584-2008

Urban Native Youth Association
Native Youth Learning Center
1324 E. Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V5L 1S3
Phone: 604-254-5620

Funding Eligibility Information

To be eligible for ACCESS employment and training funding, an individual must meet Access criteria, which includes but is not limited to the following:

• Be an Aboriginal person (status and non-status Indian, Metis, and Inuit)
• Live in the Greater Vancouver Regional area (Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, and in other communities as far as Maple Ridge
• Must be of out of school for at least one year and be 15 years or older

• Should make an appointment to see an employment counsellor at one of the EAS sites
• Will meet with an employment counsellor to discuss employment and/or training needs
• Will take the Employment Readiness Scale test
• Will fill in an Employment & Training Application Form (also called a PIF). The employment counsellor will discuss what is required for the next steps
• Must complete all ACCESS required documentation as requested by your employment counsellors
• Should be committed to completing their training program and training action plan

Back to Top

---

ACCESS Trades

APPRENTICESHIP RESOURCES
ACCESS Trades offers a variety of services to Aboriginal apprentices:

Two apprenticeship counselors are available to answer questions about your apprenticeship. ACCESS TRADES will support you and assist your employer to ensure your work based training hours are sent to the (ITA) Industry Training Authority and your training time is properly recorded towards your apprenticeship. We will work closely with your employer to make certain you receive the proper training, and help you with your registration for annual apprenticeship training programs.

Contact Larry or Rob today for more information at 604-980-1455.

TRADES TRAINING &APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
In partnership with local colleges and training centers, ACCESS offers Aboriginal people entry to certified training in a variety of trades. These programs require a minimum grade 10 math and english.

ACCESS recently sponsored the following programs:

Aboriginal Joinery Program
Program graduated March 28, 2008

In partnership with BCIT, ACCESS is offering Aboriginal men and women a training program in Joinery Benchwork (cabinetmaker). This twenty-five week entry-level program will allow participants to pursue a formal trades qualification as a first year apprentice. Participants will learn a variety of specialties: cabinetmaking, furniture making, pattern making, boat interiors, store fixture manufacturing, etc. Joinery Benchwork is a four-year apprenticeship. Entry to this program is by referral from an ACCESS employment counselor. Please contact employment services to schedule an appointment.

Aboriginal Pipefitting Program
Program ends April 25, 2008

In partnership with BCIT School of Construction and the Environment, and the Native Education Center, ACCESS is offering Aboriginal men and women first year technical training in pipefitting. This sixteen week program leads directly into the first year of a four apprenticeship program in one of the four pipefitting trades; plumbing, steam fitting, gas fitting or sprinkler fitting.

Dates for Level C Welding and Carpentry Level I will be announced soon. Please refer back to this web site for updates.

ACCESS upcoming sponsored programs:

Aboriginal Carpentry Level 1
July 7, 2008 - January 30, 2009

In partnership with RONA and Vancouver 2010 Fabrication Shop, ACCESS is offering a 30-week Carpentry Level 1 Program.

For referral, eligibility criteria, and full program details, please contact an Employment Counsellor at your nearest ACCESS Location [click here].

OTHER APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Carpentry

We are currently recruiting Aboriginal apprentice carpenters for a two-year project in Burnaby. Our corporate partner is looking for approximately 4 to 6 people interested in entering into a level I carpenter apprenticeship program. No previous training is necessary but a good attitude and work ethic is important. They are also hiring year two, three and four apprentices.

This company offers employees a full benefits package, shared tuition cost and a training bonus for apprentices who successfully complete apprenticeship training.

Please note all apprentices will be required to register through ACCESS.

For more information contact Rob @ 604-980-1455.

Steel Reinforcing

Apprenticeship opportunities are ongoing in this Red Seal Trade and demand for workers is high.
Contact employment services for referral to employment in this trade.

Contact our Employment Services today to schedule an appointment:

ACCESS at the Friendship Center: 604-251-7955

ACE at Four Corners, Main and Hastings: 604-687-7480

Klahoweya: 604-584-2008