Government of Canada partners with Métis Nation to launch new skills and employment training program

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

News release

Distinctions-based program empowers Indigenous people to improve skills and find jobs

May 15, 2019              Winnipeg, Manitoba              Employment and Social Development Canada

The Government of Canada and Métis Nation have taken significant action to ensure Métis people 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 Métis people.

Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, alongside the Métis National Council and the Manitoba Metis Federation, announced the launch of the Métis Nation 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 Federation and a broad network of Indigenous organizations across Canada, deliver the ISET Program to provide skills development programs and job training services for 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 a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples, based on reconciliation and recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. This partnership puts the power in the hands of the Métis Nation to implement their own skills training programs and services. The Government is proud to be a partner of the Métis National Council and the Manitoba Metis Federation on the path to creating fair opportunities and improving quality of life for Métis.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

“This new agreement for Metis Employment and Training marks another important milestone on our journey towards reconciliation with Canada. This agreement reflects our partnership between the Manitoba Metis Federation and the Government of Canada. This agreement ensures over 15,000 Metis citizens receive the supports they need for gainful employment. That’s over 15,000 skilled Metis citizens ready for the labour market in Manitoba alone. I commend Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Hajdu for their commitment to the Manitoba Metis Federation, the Métis Nation’s Manitoba Government. Thanks to their vision, a vision based on reconciliation, we have made history and ensured a legacy for hardworking, tax-paying people.”
– David Chartrand, Vice-President and Minister of Social Development of the Métis National Council and President of the Manitoba Metis Federation

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 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, $325 million over five years, and $67 million per year ongoing, is dedicated to the Métis Nation Labour Market stream.

  • The objective of the Métis Nation Labour Market Strategy is to:

    •  support Métis in developing employment skills and pursuing training for higher-quality jobs by recognizing their unique needs, with the ultimate objective of closing the employment and earning, and skills gaps between Métis and non-Indigenous people; and
    • support Métis service-delivery organizations by streamlining services to better support their clients.

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Contacts

Véronique Simard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
veronique.simard@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
819-654-5611

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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