Ta na wa Ch’áwat ta Sxwéxwel (Squamish Valley Operations) and Sts’its’áp’new̓as (Employment and Future Skills) are working together on establishing an interim Training & Trades Centre serving the Squamish Valley.
Following Sḵwx̱wú7mesh principles of Chet wa tkwáya7nnitway iy chet wa ḵw’ú7tsut (Listen and Engage) and Chet wa asch’ew̓á (Genuinely Care), the planning work includes an extensive engagement process with the existing Nexw7áỷstwaỷ Training and Trades Centre’s staff and students, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Community, and industry representatives.
From November through March, Nation staff spoke to focus groups, conducted interviews, held two open houses, and carried out a Community survey. This pre-feasibility project engagement process demonstrated strong local support for a Training & Trades Centre in the Squamish Valley.
In listening to the Nation, the consistent message from Elders, students, staff, employers, and partners is that the success of a future Training & Trades Centre depends on accessibility, cultural grounding, wraparound supports, and real employment outcomes. Staff also found that many Squamish People are currently unaware of existing programs and choose institutions such as Capilano University, University of British Columbia, and Simon Fraser University that have greater visibility. But these places do not offer significant supports for Indigenous learners and may not be directly linked to employment with the Nation or with projects aligned with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh economic development.
The long-term vision, five to 10 years from now, is for a permanent, purpose-built facility on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) lands recognized as a post-secondary institute and fully funded by government.
Until then, an interim facility will meet the Squamish Valley’s training needs to match local industry demand and economic development.
After hearing from Community and industry partners, the Ta na wa Ch’áwat ta Sxwéxwel (Squamish Valley Operations) and Sts’its’áp’new̓as (Employment and Future Skills) teams are currently assessing existing spaces and land sites in the Squamish Valley that could be used for an interim facility. Within the next three years, it’s hoped the Nation will have a workshop space where Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People can begin their Red Seal training in the trade of their choice.
The plan to bring a Training & Trades Centre to the Squamish Valley is a part of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Council’s top priority to bring all Squamish People home within a generation (defined as 25 years and a target of 2050). Besides investing in housing, the Nation is also investing in builders to create the houses.
The process for bringing a Training & Trades Centre to the Squamish Valley is guided by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh principle of Na wa nelhnílhtway ta úxwumixw (The people go through it together). Indeed, the Nation’s staff and Community continue to work together to achieve our goals through collaboration, teamwork, and collective strategies.