Federal Government invests in skill training for First Nations youth
- EFN Staff | January 31, 2014
The Government of Canada is investing in skills training for nearly 4,000 First Nations youth, ages 18- to 24-years-old, across Canada as part of the first set of proposals approved under the improved on-reserve Income Assistance Program.
The initiative will provide personalized supports to First Nations youth from 70 communities across the country as they secure the tools needed to find meaningful employment and reduce their reliance on income assistance. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) Minister Bernard Valcourt joined together with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, the Battlefords Tribal Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Yorkton Tribal Council, Lac La Ronge Indian Band and the Saskatchewan Indian Training Assessment Group Incorporated in Saskatoon today to announce the participants in the program.
"Our Government continues to take concrete steps to create the conditions for more prosperous, self-sufficient First Nation communities. Investing in jobs and skills training will lead to greater First Nation participation in the economy, healthier First Nation communities and a stronger Canada," said Bernard Valcourt, Minister of AANDC.
Pat Thompson, Director of Operations for the Yorkton Tribal Council, says improving the lives of youth is key to building strong communities.
"As our communities have, in many ways, still been experiencing residual destruction of our social fabric, the business of enhanced service delivery will not be complete until our youth have the necessary job skills and life skills as a foundation for rebuilding the family unit. Together we will build a foundation for our communities. We will overcome and reclaim our families and communities."
Activities will begin over the coming months across Canada, as First Nation communities and Tribal Councils lead the effort to ensure youth have every opportunity for jobs and prosperity.
An integral component of the new Income Assistance Program is case management. Case-workers will work with individuals to identify barriers to employment and to develop a personalized plan to address those barriers.
This approach builds on the success of recent pilot projects and partnerships being undertaken across Canada, where the Government of Canada has been working with the provincial governments, First Nations and the private sector to link First Nations Income Assistance clients with training and jobs.
"We have seen a lot of progress with our First Nations members, through a number of initiatives and programs. By accessing this funding, we can continue this work to enhance the assistance and supports that we have available to our youth, ensuring they are able to become active participants in the provincial workforce," said Neil Sasaskamoose, CEO, Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs.
First Nations youth will have access to a range of services and programs aimed at increasing their job prospects and supporting them as they move into the workforce, including: basic life-skills training, skills training and career counseling.
"We have built a strong foundation of training and career development supports for our youth. Our goal as an ESD provider will be to further engage, train and support more of our members in their pursuit of long-term and meaningful employment," said Felix Thomas, Chief, Saskatoon Tribal Council.