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The Aboriginal Trades and Apprenticeship Study for the Industry Training Authority (ITA) of British Columbia (BC) and the Aboriginal Human Resource Council (AHRC) aims to gather information about Aboriginal people in BC and their participation in the trades and apprenticeship system. The study will provide background information for an ITA Aboriginal trades and apprenticeship strategy with the overall goal of increasing the participation and success of Aboriginal people in the trades. The study is designed to address six main components and this interim report provides preliminary information on the first four. The components are: (1) ‘current knowledge of apprenticeship in Aboriginal communities in BC’, which will involve a survey of selected Aboriginal organisations to determine current knowledge and attitudes of the BC Aboriginal community towards participation in the apprenticeship system; (2) ‘comprehensive demographics’, which will be informed by a review of secondary data to complete a profile of the Aboriginal community complete with labour market data; (3) ‘inventory of success’, comprising a review of secondary sources and interviews with selected organisations and individuals to develop an inventory of programs in the Aboriginal community, industry, and training and education community that demonstrate success in recruitment, training support, employment and the retention of Aboriginal people; (4) ‘comprehensive inventory of resources available to support an Aboriginal strategy’, which will be informed by a review of secondary sources and interviews with selected organisations to develop a comprehensive inventory of resources that are either available or can be leveraged to support the ITA’s Aboriginal Strategic Plan and meet its goals; (5) ‘current apprentices’, comprising a survey of existing registered Aboriginal apprentices and foundation program participants to report on their entry into and progression through the apprenticeship system; and (6) ‘receptivity of employers’, involving a cross-section survey of selected employers representing various sectors in the province of BC to determine demand-side issues.