Métis Nation British Columbia Announces Improvement to Skills Training, Employment and Post-Secondary (STEPS) Program

January 28, 2022 (Surrey, BC) – Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) has conducted a thorough review of its Skills Training, Employment & Post-Secondary (STEPS) funded program guidelines, building on key accomplishments achieved last year. In 2021, MNBC supported over 1,500 training and post-secondary education requests from Métis learners in BC, a record for the Nation. MNBC’s Cabinet also voted to increase the lifetime support limit to $50,000.

As a result of the review, MNBC has approved a new set of program guidelines for STEPS programs. The new guidelines and support application form can be found here. Highlights of the new guidelines include:

• Increased wrap-around support for Métis learners and trainees while enrolled in school and training;
• Simplified application and assessment processes; and
• Increased offers in training programs and eligible Post-Secondary institutions.

The new STEPS programs guidelines come into effect April 1, 2022, and new applications (those with start dates after April 1, 2022) will be accepted starting February 1, 2022

“Supporting Métis learners and innovating our program guidelines to better meet the evolving needs is critically important,” says Susie Hooper, MNBC Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Dean Gladue, MNBC Minister of Employment and Skills Training. “We are pleased to see more modernization in STEPS that will see greater wrap-around supports for our Citizens looking to advance their education.”

In 2021, MNBC also committed $3,000,000 in COVID-19 pandemic-related emergency supports to Métis learners, and $2,000,000 in direct supports to MNBC Chartered Communities. MNBC recently announced an additional $1,400,000 million in skills training supports, building on $5,400,000 in funding already received in 2021.

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