The Ktunaxa Nation and the Aboriginal Mentoring and Training Association (AMTA) are pleased to announce that 31 Aboriginal youth from Cranbrook and Invermere have successfully completed BladeRunners, an employment training program focussed on providing job readiness skills and education.

The five-week program concluded with graduation ceremonies in Cranbrook and Invermere on February 28.

“With over 30 students in the program, we ran three cohorts of BladeRunners,” said Diana Dearden, Ktunaxa Nation Council Employment and Training Officer. “The Invermere cohort focussed on customer service skills development, while the two Cranbrook cohorts received extensive training in office skills or industrial safety. All students in the program participated in team-building exercises, employability training and essential skills development.”

The Cranbrook delivery of BladeRunners was a pilot partnership between the Ktunaxa Nation Council and AMTA. “Partnerships like this bring the best practices of each program to the candidates. They benefit from the combined resources of the Ktunaxa Nation, AMTA and BladeRunners in training and job placement. I am so proud to have worked with such a dedicated team and congratulate all the candidates on their commitment and dedication to the program,” said Suzanne Pederson, AMTA Program Manager and Instructor.

“A number of participants from both communities have already secured employment while others are planning on returning to school,” said Skye McDougall, Invermere BladeRunners facilitator. “I think that is a great indicator of how successful the BladeRunners program can be.”

Above photo: 11 of the 31 graduates celebrated course completion Feb. 28 at Copper Point Resort in Invermere. Photo submitted

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