About

The Vancouver Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (VanAsep) is a non-profit partnership project dedicated to increasing Aboriginal employment in strategic markets. The society proudly collaborates with First Nation communities, Métis Provincial Council and, importantly, with industry and training institutions.

We are ITA-designated to train and certify Aboriginals with the knowledge, experience and qualification that industries need, ensuring Aboriginal employment by securing a steady stream of qualified, experienced workers where they are needed most.

Since 2005 over 2000 clients have participated in the VanAsep Construction Careers program and over 1000 Aboriginal people are currently registered as trades apprentices. We began as the training authority to support Aboriginal employment in the lead up to the 2010 Winter Olympics, initially focussing on the Olympic Corridor from Tsawwassen First Nation to Lil’wat First Nation, including many major construction projects such as the Sea to Sky Highway, 2010 Olympic venues, the Richmond-Vancouver Canada Line SkyTrain, and the Delta Port expansion project. The partnership was quickly recognized with an Award of Excellence in Education from the Vancouver Regional Construction Association in November 2006 and provincial designation as an ITA ( Industry Training Authority of B.C.) certified trainer.

In 2009 VanAsep expanded its training model to meet a growing demand of career and industry growth throughout the region. We train and qualify Aboriginals for careers in Heavy Equipment Operation, the Supply Chain, and Independent Power Plant sectors, bringing a greater wealth of opportunity to First Nation communities throughout BC. Setting up key partnerships is essential to VanAsep, and we work with local industries identifying and facilitating employment, business and economic development opportunities for First Nations, Aboriginal people and industry alike.