BC AMTA receives $13,000 donation from Microsoft
Because of limited access to technology in northern B.C. for some First Nations communities, this is a huge gift for students.
1 of 2BC AMTA student, Shane Tait, is excited about his future and getting to use the new technology. — Francine Gurney, BC AMTA, photo.
2 of 2L-R: Francine Gurney, BC AMTA Program Coach and Cindy Clayton - BC AMTA Program Coordinator, with the laptops behind them that the software will be installed on. — Photo courtesy BC AMTA.
The British Columbia Aboriginal Mine Training Association's (BC AMTA) Williams Lake and New Aiyansh offices have just received a major gift.
On June 5, 2013, Microsoft, via TechSoup, donated $13,000 worth of software to the two computer labs. That translates to 30 copies of MS Office professional, the version that includes MS Access.
Laurie Sterritt, CEO of BC AMTA, said the gift will do wonders for students.
"TechSoup is an organization that brokers the donations from software companies to charitable organizations," said Sterritt. "Our co-ordinator for accounting and administration, Stacey Overby, was instrumental in researching and completing the application. We are grateful to have such dedicated, resourceful employees. The generous donation allows us to re-allocate the funds to other candidate needs like transportation and safety gear."
Training and experience with the latest software will give candidates more confidence and add strength to their resumes. Robert Mills, BC AMTA regional manager of Northwestern B.C ., said the community benefits when their members upgrade their skills to enter the minerals and exploration industry. They’ve seen average wages increase from $13,754 per year to $52,959 per year.
Mills oversees the region where the software will be utilized and says the donation will make a positive difference for local First Nations candidates who are training to enter the mining and exploration industry.
"It’s great to see our brand of skills training dramatically affect aboriginal families and communities," said Mills. "I think it’s pretty exciting because most of our candidates in the North live in isolated communities and not everyone has access to a computer or laptop. So with the donation of Microsoft Office we have laptops setup specifically for our candidates to develop these skills.”
The BC AMTA New Aiyansh computer lab has 10 laptop stations. A Pathways to Success (P2S) program started recently and offers candidates an opportunity to increase their essential skills. They work with instructor and program manager, Nick Gibson, to strengthen their Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) levels. The TOWES is the go-to test that matches BC AMTA candidates with the educational program best suited to their skill level.
“TOWES is a snapshot of where the candidate is now,” said Sharon Gottfriedson, manager of Pathways to Success at BC AMTA. “It helps candidates develop an individual success plan so everyone’s pathway through BC AMTA is unique.”
The majority of P2S candidates continue their journey by enrolling in BC AMTA’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 programs in occupational or certified trades training or go on to post-secondary training.
Matt Tipping, principal at Kedsey Consulting and BC AMTA’s technology partner, said this donation can hopefully lead to more partnerships in the future.
"The ongoing success of BC AMTA is rooted in partnerships between industry and First Nations," said Tipping. "This donation expands that success to include the technology sector and prove that there are many ways to support the economic development of aboriginal communities. Recognition from the technology sector further legitimizes the BC AMTA model and celebrates the success of BC AMTA students. If a large company like Microsoft is able to see the benefits of BC AMTA, this can hopefully lead to bigger and better things.”
