Indigenous Skills for Success

BladeRunners

BladeRunners connects the construction industry with opportunities for inner-city youth, with an Indigenous priority, aged 18 to 30 in Greater Vancouver. BladeRunners provides comprehensive support, including life skills training, safety education, and specialized employment preparation. With a 75% job placement rate since 1994 and a 100% completion rate, this award- winning program screens for youth readiness and fosters proactive relationships within the construction community. After training, job coaches help participants find entry- level construction jobs and provide ongoing, long-term job maintenance support. This model’s success stems from its dedicated team, supportive employer partnerships, and a commitment to sustained employment.

During your training, you’ll receive a hot breakfast and lunch every day. Once you complete the program, we’ll provide you with work gear and tools—and help you land a job!

Our dedicated Job Coaches are here to support you from day one until you no longer need assistance. And for those who join… Once a BladeRunner, Always a BladeRunner!

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Employment Services

If you are an Indigenous person living in Metro Vancouver and are looking for a job or training opportunities, ACCESS should be your first stop. We have three Employment Services (ES) offices in Vancouver and Surrey where you will find a whole host of services and supports to help you.

When you enter any one of our offices you will find helpful and knowledgeable staff who are there waiting to assist you. They can help you with your resume and cover letter. They can help you access funding for training or assist you in enrolling in a training program that suits you.

No matter where you on your employment journey, our skilled Employment Advisors can help you make it all the way to that ideal job or career.

Some of the things that we do for you:

Funding for individual seats or group training programs
One-on-one employment advising
Support with resumes and interview skills
Employment referrals
Access to career exploration tools
Work wear and work gear
Bus tickets
Access to telephones and computers

Great things start when you enter our door or when you call up to talk to one of our Employment Advisors.

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Indigenous Skills for Success (IS4S) is a department of ACCESS operating out of New Westminster. Our vision is to deliver innovative Skills for Success programming to the Indigenous Community through employer partnerships and customized training that supports employment success and retention.

Using our proven Skills for Success model, we have successfully run over 120 cohorts. We design and deliver programs and curricula tailored to our Indigenous learners’ unique needs. Our programs enhance learners’ literacy and Skills for Success, helping them prepare for, secure, and maintain meaningful employment.

Skills for Success encompasses the core competencies needed to thrive in learning, work, and life. These foundational skills enable the development of other abilities and facilitate effective social interaction. The skills complement and reinforce each other while integrating with technical and life skills. They are adaptable to various contexts and inclusive of all learners.

Skills for Success benefit everyone—employers, workers, training providers, governments, and communities alike.

You can take part by enrolling today (see our upcoming programs under Training Opportunities):

Employer Partner Program
Pre-Technical Training Program – You must register though our Trades department
Employment & Training Competency (ETC) Program – Individual Essential Skills training designed just for you.

Contact one of our Employment Advisors today for more information.

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Programs

The Programs department provides group skills training programs that lead to industry recognized certifications as well as employer partnership training that lead to direct entry into employment. We partner with public and post-secondary institutions to offer you the best training possible so that you can find the career of your choice.

We have trained hundreds of Indigenous people and set them on their journey towards the most in-demand jobs in BC. We have trained people for work in such sectors as: business, health, information technology, education, forestry, tourism and many others.

Our commitment is to provide you with the best training possible so that you can find the job that is just right for you!

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Trades Training & Apprenticeship

Thousands of trainees have changed their lives through ACCESS Trades Training and you can too!

ACCESS Trades was established to increase training and apprenticeship opportunities in the urban Indigenous community. Our services are specifically designed for men and women interested in entering into apprenticeship training and becoming certified in one of the trades. Our training is delivered through certified colleges and union training schools.

We have three Training and Employment Coaches to support you during training to ensure your success. Once you graduate one of our apprenticeship advisors will guide you through your apprenticeship until you become a fully qualified Journeyperson.

ACCESS Trades has established partnerships with SkilledTradesBC, Government, Training Institutes, employers, trades organizations and community groups to provide our clients with industry recognized certification and connections to employment.

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