Finding Aboriginal Apprentices and Agencies

Looking for Aboriginal employees, apprentices, trades people or students?

Contact the nearest First Nation in your operating area, and other Aboriginal and Métis organizations. If you are operating in a larger region, often the Tribal Councils, or the tribal nation-owned employment and business development agencies are the best to help guide you.

Interested in developing a partnership or similar arrangement with Aboriginal communities and employment service agencies?

In the Aboriginal community, there are a wide variety of organizations that aid the Aboriginal person in entering and completing an apprenticeship, and can help you find Aboriginal employees, apprentices and skilled tradespeople.

A common first step is to contact the local AHRDA holder or ASEP, as these agencies have a mandate to assist Aboriginal people with employment and training, including the trades.

• Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement holders (AHRDAs) – 12 local agencies in BC providing regionally based employment and training services to Aboriginal people across the province. 
• Aboriginal Skills Employment Partnership (ASEP) programs - 3 currently in BC providing industry specific training and employment for Aboriginal people.

Below is a link to a map of First Nations in BC to help identify local First Nations, as well as a list of Friendship Centres in BC:

• Map of BC First Nations
• Aboriginal Friendship Centres

For a comprehensive resource guide of First Nations and Aboriginal service agencies and communities, see