1. ASETS FUNDING
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING FUNDING AND SUPPORTS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN CANADA
PRESENTED BY: Shari St. Peter and Polly Bobiwash
NIAGARA PENINSULA ABORIGINAL AREA MANAGEMENT BOARD
And ANISHINABEK NATION
APRIL 26, 2018

2. What is asets? Labour market program for Indigenous people in Canada
Provides non funded and funded supports in over 800 communities
First Nations communities, Metis, Inuit and Urban served by ASETS
Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy implemented in 2008
Indigenous employment and training frameworks and funding has been around since the early 1990’s but were referred to by various names reflective of the approach of the sitting government at the time.

3. HISTORY OF INDIGENOUS LABOUR MARKET PROGRAMS
Developed in the 1990’s, the “Pathways to Success” strategy reflected the principle that local Aboriginal control of and responsibility for programming is the key to success. Clearly, Aboriginal peoples knew what the needs of their communities were and how those needs could be met.
Pathways marked a radical change in HRSDC-Service Canada's approach to Aboriginal employment and training programming, placing a heavy emphasis on an all-inclusive, grass-roots style of management through Aboriginal Organizations. – these were often referred to as Management Boards (ie. NPAAMB)
Under the Pathways strategy, HRSDC-Service Canada continued to be responsible for contracting and monitoring all projects but employment projects were approved by Aboriginal Management Boards (AMBs) that represented all Aboriginal peoples within specific geographic areas across Ontario.

4. WHAT IS ASETS?
In January 1996 following the Pathways review process, HRSDC-Service Canada signed National Framework Agreements (NFAs) with the Métis National Council, the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, and the Assembly of First Nations. The goal of the NFAs was to develop labour market programming which addressed the unique needs of Aboriginal people, calling for equal access to programs and services for all community members, including Aboriginal women and persons with disabilities.. Regional Bi-lateral agreements resulted
The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) called for a longer-term employment and training initiative than the three-year RBA model. In response to recommendations by the RCAP, a number of federal programs were developed to assist Aboriginal people in accessing employment opportunities through education, skills development and training opportunities. The federal government aimed to achieve this goal through a number of programs, including HRSDC-Service Canada’s Aboriginal Human Resource Development Strategy (AHRDS)
AHRDS continued until 2009/2010 when the Strategy was replaced by ASETS

5. ASETS present
ASETS agreements are currently in their 9 year of the 5 year funding cycle
Renewal of strategy committed in last 2 federal budgets; TRC call to action “we call upon the federal government to develop with the Aboriginal groups a joint strategy to eliminate educational and employment gaps between Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal Canadians”

6. ASETS today
Provides labour market funding for employment and training to 85 agreement holders in Canada
Includes First Nations/on reserve; First Nations off reserve (status and non- status), Metis and Inuit
18 agreement holders in Ontario (1 Metis, 1 Inuit, urban, 14 First Nation (on reserve)
Follows 3 pillars- demand driven training
- relies on partnerships
-accountability and capacity building

7. 85 ASETS AGREEMENT HOLDERS IN CANADA Providing service in over 800 communities
BC- 15
AB- 13
SASK- 2
MB- 14
ONT- 18
QC- 5
NS- 2
NB-4
PEI-1
NFLD-6
YT-2
NWT-7
NVT- 3
NATIONAL- 2

8. WHAT DETERMINES ELIGIBILITY FROM CLIENT PERSPECTIVE
Geography- where does the client currently reside?
Geography- on reserve, off reserve/urban, status, non-status, metis, inuit
Self Identification- for many ASETS holders
Age i.e. NPAAMB
Band registration/membership- First Nations ASETS holders; residence may not be applicable for eligibility
Ease of ACCESS- knowledge of organizations and/or First Nations who provide ASETS

9. TYPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED
NON FUNDED SERVICES
Employment counselling
Career exploration
Job search on site services
Resume assistance
Mock interviews
Labour market information
Referrals (i.e. post secondary funding)
Essential Skills Assessment
PLAR
Job readiness workshops
Academic upgrading- courses on site in some cases
Dress for Success
Case Management
Information on trades, apprenticeships, post secondary education opportunities and funding

10. TYPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED
FUNDED SERVICES
Funded services means direct client funding of:
Occupational skills training (i.e. first aid/cpr; excel; private training provider; heavy equipment; gas tech)
Job readiness/ pre-employment training (i.e. first aid/cpr, food handling; customer service; WHMIS etc)
Group based essential skills training
Summer job experience
Apprenticeship supports (fees, testing)
Pre-apprenticeship group based training (i.e. heavy equipment, millwright; WRAP/SIC; welding)
Group based occupation skills – speific (i.e. security services)

11. TYPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED
Career Fairs- general; Opportunity Knocks (NPAAMB)
On the job work experience placements- to increase experience in general with entry level or a chosen field based on educational or training experiences/background
Job start supports
-transportation
-childcare (FNICCI for First Nations ASETS holders)
-uniforms; clothing
-work boots, PPE
Work retention supports
-additional training (i.e. first aid, computer, courses, conference fees)

12. TYPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED
In some cases- Stay in school retention supports
-tutoring
-college/university application fees
-assessments
Completion bonuses
Living expenses and/or training allowances
Wage subsidies (50% for profit; up to 100% not for profit)
Self employment/ entrepreneurship supports

13. KEEP IN MIND
All ASETS will deliver programs, services and funding differently based on:
1. Local needs of the communities served by the Agreement Holder
2. Local labour market demand
3. Community partnerships
4. Funding levels
5. Local community priorities

14. How do I contact?
Website: social-development/services/.../asets.html
Or simply google – ASETS holders and the Govt of Canada ASETS site will come up

17. Nya:weh, Miigwetch, Hiy Hiy, Merci, Thank you
Questions?
Nya:weh, Miigwetch, Hiy Hiy, Merci, Thank you