Backgrounder: Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy

Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy

Launched in 2010, the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) provides a full suite of skills development and job training services—from essential skills such as literacy and numeracy to more advanced training for in-demand jobs. ASETS supports a network of 85 delivery organizations that design and deliver programming based on the needs and priorities of Indigenous people and communities through more than 600 points of service across Canada. It is a responsive, flexible and innovative strategy that meets the unique needs of Indigenous people.

In 2016 and 2017, the Government engaged with Indigenous peoples and organizations across the country to review and renew Indigenous labour market programs. Following extensive engagement, the Government and Indigenous partners are working on the co-development and implementation of the new Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program to replace ASETS.

The new ISET Program will continue to help Indigenous people get the skills training they need to participate in the economy and contribute to the success of their communities. The ISET Program will take a distinctions-based approach to recognize the unique needs of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban/non-affiliated Indigenous people.

Skills and Partnership Fund

The Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF) was launched in 2010 as an innovative, partnership-driven complement to ASETS. The SPF is a demand-driven, proposal-based program that encourages partnerships between Indigenous organizations and governments, businesses, training institutions and/or community groups to support skills development for Indigenous people. The SPF can address labour market shortages and economic opportunities by offering specific skills development and training-to-employment to Indigenous clients.

In 2015, the SPF was renewed, and it now receives $50 million in funding per year. A 2016 SPF call for proposals resulted in 52 partnership-based Indigenous projects focused on improving employment outcomes.