ACCESS Trades staff attended the ITA Aboriginal Day Celebrations at Klahowya Village in Stanley Park on June 21 2011. ACCESS Trades staff are very proud that our own Sheet Metal apprentice David Ward was invited to attend as a guest speaker. David, it turns out, is a natural on stage. David entertained the audience with his great sense of humour and at the same time shared the value of trades training. Our gratitude goes out to our partner, the Industry Training Authority (Aboriginal Initiative) and the Federal-Provincial governments for their support of Aboriginal Training and Apprenticeship.

Left to right. Kevin Evans (CEO ITA), Elizabeth Whitehawk (Welder) , David Ward (Sheet Metal apprentice), Gary McDermott (Director-ITA Aboriginal Initiatives), Faith Child (Welder), Adrian Koskie (Welder)

Left to right. David Ward and Mary Polak, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.

‘Electrician, Jennifer Azak was the 2009 winner of the Province Newspapers ‘Top Woman in Trades’ award.

Jennifer was presented with a $500.00 bursary by the Industry Training Authority to be passed on to a deserving apprentice. Jennifer generously donated the bursary to ACCESS trades. The bursary will be presented to an apprentice on November 19 2009 at a dinner to honour Aboriginal trainees who have achieved their Red Seal Journey Certification.

Brian Pelletier, Program Manager with HRDC, Aboriginal Affairs Directorate, met with ACCESS Trades apprentices at BCIT on September 16 2009. Read more...

George Abbott, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, attended an ACCESS dinner on November 19th 2009 to honour urban Aboriginal Red Seal Journey people and apprentices.