Government of Canada invests in Inuit organizations to launch new skills and employment training program Français
Distinctions-based program empowers Indigenous people to improve skills and find jobs
IQALUIT, NU, July 8, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada and Inuit partners are taking significant action to ensure Inuit have greater opportunities for employment and can achieve lifelong prosperity for themselves, their families and their communities. Working in partnership is the best way to ensure better outcomes for Inuit.
Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown, Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, alongside the Kakivak Association, announced the launch of the Inuit Labour Market Strategy under the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program.
The Government and Indigenous partners co-developed the implementation of the ISET Program, which is a result of efforts to renew relationships with Indigenous peoples. The program builds on the success of its predecessor, the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS), which has served approximately 375,000 Indigenous people.
Partner organizations such as the Kakivak Association, and a broad network of Indigenous organizations across Canada, deliver the ISET Program to provide skills development programs and job-training services to Indigenous people so they can improve their skills and meet their long-term career goals. Each organization designs and delivers programming based on the needs and priorities of their communities.
In Budget 2018, the Government committed a historic $2 billion investment over five years, and $408.2 million per year ongoing to create the new ISET Program. It will improve support for Indigenous partners through increased funding flexibility and longer-term agreements. These enhancements reflect the Government's commitment to advancing reconciliation and fostering a better future for Indigenous people and all Canadians.
Quotes
Our government is committed to renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples, based on reconciliation and recognition of rights, respect, and co-operation. This partnership puts the power in the hands of the Inuit to implement their own skills training programs and services. We are proud to collaborate with the Inuit organizations, such as the Kakivak Association and ITK to create equal opportunities for Inuit."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
"The Government wants to reduce the skills and employment gaps that exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. That is why we are pleased to partner with Inuit organizations like Kakivak Association to implement the new Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program. This program includes increased funding and enhanced approaches to help Inuit improve their skills and find employment."
–the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown, Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
"Employment, workforce development and labour is one of eight identified joint priorities between Inuit leadership and the federal government through our Inuit Crown Partnership Committee process. I am pleased to see this financial commitment for Inuit organizations to be able to advance training and skills development for Inuit through this program."
–Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
"We are pleased to see stable, long-term funding delivered to Inuit through the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program that focuses on the unique needs and priorities of Inuit."
–Monica Ell-Kanayuk, Vice President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
"The new ISET Program will increase the level of service and support provided by Kakivak Association and similar organizations across Inuit Nunangat. Improved partnerships and long-term, flexible funding agreements build on years of successful program delivery and enhance our ability to help Inuit succeed."
–Joe Attagutaluk, Board Chair, Kakivak Association
Quick Facts
- The Indigenous population is young and is the fastest growing population in Canada. More than 400,000 Indigenous youth will be of age to enter the job market over the next decade.
- The Government of Canada and Indigenous partners are working together to ensure that Indigenous people have the same opportunities for skills development and employment as non-Indigenous Canadians.
- The ISET Program takes a distinctions-based approach to recognize the unique needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, in addition to a dedicated funding stream to support services to urban and non-affiliated Indigenous people.
- Of this new funding, $161.2 million over five years, and $32.6 million per year ongoing, is dedicated to the Inuit Labour Market Strategy.
- The Inuit Labour Market Strategy recognizes the unique needs of the Inuit, and aims to reduce the employment and skills gaps between Inuit and non-Indigenous people.
Associated Links
Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program
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Backgrounder
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Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program
The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program is designed to help First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban/non-affiliated Indigenous people improve their skills and find employment.
In 2016 and 2017, the Government engaged with key Indigenous partners and organizations across the country to review and renew the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS). Following this engagement, the Government and Indigenous partners co-developed the implementation of the ISET Program.
The ISET Program builds on what was successful about ASETS and reflects what was heard from Indigenous partners. It includes:
- new distinctions-based strategies and funding streams that will help meet the unique needs of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban/non-affiliated Indigenous people;
- greater focus on the full continuum of skills development, from essential skills to skills upgrading;
- greater flexibility for Indigenous organizations to design programming to meet the needs of their people and communities;
- reduced administrative burden; and
- increased funding to support predictable and stable training and skills development over the next 10 years.
As part of the co-developed implementation of the new ISET Program, the Government will continue to work with Indigenous partners to enhance the performance strategy. This will involve collecting and analyzing data to support Indigenous partners with the design and delivery of services and programs to ensure they are responsive.
The ISET Program also responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #7, which calls upon the Government to develop a joint strategy with Indigenous groups to eliminate educational and employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada.
Current Inuit service delivery organizations:
Ontario
Nunavik (Quebec)
Nunatsiavut (Newfoundland and Labrador)
Inuvialuit Settlement Region (Northwest Territories)
Nunavut
- Kakivak Association
- Kitikmeot Inuit Association
- Kivalliq Inuit Association
For list of ISET partners by distinction, please refer to Canada.ca/iset
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
Véronique Simard, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, [email protected], 819-654-5611; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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