The University of Northern British Columbia partnered with the BC Oil and Gas Commission (Commission) to provide 30 Indigenous students with natural resource skills training used in today’s industry projects throughout Northern B.C.

This spring, students accessed training to either Land Reclamation or Environmental Monitoring programs offered via the UNBC Continuing Studies department. Students of these programs learned practical job skills for work in their communities and in natural resource management as a whole. Funding covered tuition, accommodation and food costs during the program. 

The Commission provided $125,000 in funding to the program and the BC Oil and Gas Research and Innovation Society provided $25,000. These funds were provided through the Commission’s Indigenous Education Program, a pilot project launched in January 2018. The purpose of the program is to provide training that can benefit both Indigenous students and their communities, and advance Indigenous inclusion in how resource projects are regulated and monitored. Additionally, the Commission is also supporting Indigenous students of UNBC’s Northern Transition Program (NTP) through the development of new bursaries. The program is a holistic and supportive program that helps students from rural and Indigenous communities prepare for, and successfully navigate, their transition to a university program.  The BC Oil and Gas Commission’s Northern Transitions Program (NTP) Bursary and Engineering Bursary financially support students in their first year of a program and their following year of studies at UNBC.

“We are excited to offer these opportunities in partnership with UNBC,” said Dean Zimmer, Executive Director, Permit Adjudication. “It is important to support Indigenous education efforts in natural resource management to ensure a strong presence throughout the lifecycle of natural resource-based projects, including oil and gas.”

“This partnership is a great example of how UNBC contributes to the education and career development of young students, and all learners, by working closely with organizations that are committed to the growth and sustainability of our Northern communities,” said UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks.

These programs all contributed to UNBC’s Northern Leadership Campaign, which surpassed its $15-million goal, raising $21.4 million for university-wide initiatives that strengthen research and teaching excellence, inspire next-generation leaders, and develop local solutions that have a global impact.

“Through the Northern Leadership Campaign, UNBC is enhancing the quality of academic programming we provide to Indigenous students, responding to critical skills shortages, and inspiring next generation leaders through innovative, supportive, and engaging experiential learning opportunities that have a lasting impact,” adds Dr. Weeks.