Indigenous Skills & Employment Training Services

Many clients require basic pre-employment initiatives to assist them in transitioning to the labour market. Clients assisted under this stream are those who have never participated in the work-force, who face multiple barriers, or who lack the basic skills to be successful in employment.

Assessment & referral services will be provided to clients living with a disability that limits their learning ability. ISETS Technicians/Employment Counsellors will work with the First Nations Health Programs to support clients to receive specialty training to gain, retain or maintain employment. In addition, clients will also be supported for employment related equipment.

Safety tickets are a requirement to obtain employment in many areas related to trades. Clients are required to be certified so that they can accept employment immediately. Support for eligible clients will be available for safety ticket training provided the client meets the application requirements. Clients will be selected for training based on applications, assessments and company training advertisements and/or letter of employment as supporting documentation. These interventions will be directly delivered through the sub-agreements.

Tickets include H2S, WHMIS, First Aid, CSTS, Chainsaw Safety, Fallers, TDG, etc.

Overcome the employment barrier most clients face ‘lack of transportation’ and ‘proper licensing certification’ to become employed as a driver. Assessments have shown those clients ready, willing and able to work require a variety of drivers training in order to accept retain and maintain employment and will be supported to take Class 1,2,3,4. In addition, the program will also support Class 5 & 7 particularly targeting youth clients. Approval for youth drivers training programs will require a detailed project proposal outlining client eligibility.

Assessments have led to supporting clients who have made a career decision to enter various trades such as Media & Advertising, Electrician, Carpentry, Pipefitting, Welding, etc. All costs associated with furthering their chosen trade will be supported such as; tuition, allowances, relocation, materials and supplies. This will be a continued intervention that includes those who have successfully passed the 'Trades Entrance Exam'.

Transportation services to support clients who have barriers to transport themselves to employment and/or training to job sites. Temporary gas support for clients who have no other financial means to get to the job site may be eligible. Employment confirmation will be a requirement. We will also explore existing partnerships with industry and other community service providers to address transportation issues.

Funding for individualize skill development may be provided for walk-in clients who require the financial resources to pursue un-foreseen demand-driven employment opportunities not identified in this plan. Labour market information and analysis will be completed to ensure that the skills supported will lead to immediate employment.

Financial employment start- up may be provided to those who are eligible once employment confirmation is received by the service delivery location. Those who qualify will receive supports such as work gear, union fees, relocation assistance and/or gas support. Employment and/or training confirmation is a requirement.

Employers may access funding to subsidize wages for trainees who are eligible ISETS clients to gain valuable work experience with various employers, internship programs and community and/or industry partners. The funding is an individual WRITTEN proposal driven contract between the employer and the agreement or sub-agreement holder with focus on the needs of the named client. The contract must outline assessment details on start and end dates, skills enhancement description, rate of pay and must not exceed 6 months. Total ISETS subsidy will not exceed 50% of the wage; MERC (mandatory employment related costs) MUST be paid by the employer. 100% of the wage MUST be paid by the employer and invoicing ISETS for reimbursement. The employer must provide progress reports and be willing to hire the client full time after the work experience term is complete.

The agreement holder will provide training for individuals interested in employment in green energy trades training. Participants will receive training in the various aspects of worksite safety, assessment, design & theory related to climate change and green energy projects. Upon completing the training, participants would be eligible to obtain employment with employers specializing in green energy. Additionally, there may be opportunities for applicants to install solar panels in their own communities or start their own business. Combined with the Climate Leadership programs offered by the Government of Alberta, this program could help move our communities towards new, emerging employment sectors and provide resiliency when it comes to combating climate change.

Funding to deliver 'tailored' WRITTEN job creation intervention partnerships may be provided to eligible client / EI insured client with meaningful work experience to enhance their skills to become more competitive in applying for jobs. This will be delivered through a combination of short term certificate training such as computers, basic accounting, and other related training and on the job experience. The primary focus is on the client, not the sponsor/employer or the community.

NOTE: Clients who are EI Active Claimants may qualify for this program.

Partnership development with other community service providers and/or other funding resources or industry employers to deliver security training to individuals giving them the knowledge and experience to gain employment as security guards with their industry partners.

Heavy Equipment Operators continue to be in high demand in Alberta. Training may be provided by sub-agreements for basic Heavy Equipment Operator training for a variety of equipment from haul truck operators, dozers and graders to excavators, scrapers, packers and front-end loaders. Various accredited service providers will be utilized.

Hospitality and Tourism Management will be delivered through our sub-agreements for various hospitality and tourism industry partners. The training will be designed to meet industry certification standards leading to professional accreditation and full time employment in the hotel, restaurant and resort management fields.

The goal is to provide youths with exposure to the trades so that they can pursue it as a career opportunity. Sub-agreements may provide an introduction to trades training for those young individuals (targeting high school and unemployed youth ages 15-30) looking to pursue the area of trades. The training will consist of personal development and hands on work experience. The intent of the program is to encourage youth to pursue a trade.

YTDF’s goal is to decrease the number of repeat clients and to provide incentives for the completion of programs so that they can make a successful transition into the workplace. Sub-agreements MAY provide a maximum of $500 completion bonus to each client who have successfully completed anywhere between 1-4 years of apprenticeship training in the area of trades described above.

Sub-agreements will provide an introduction to carpentry training to those individuals looking to pursue the area of carpentry. This training project will be in partnership with each sub-agreement community. The training may have a personal development component along with hands on work experience supervised directly by the housing department. The intent of the program is to encourage individuals to pursue carpentry as a trade.

This initiative will support clients who have demonstrated the willingness and ability to start their own business.

The sub agreements will provide funding supports for clients enrolled in Fire Fighting Training for the following courses: