1. WHAT IS ASETS?
SKILLS TRAINING FUNDING AND EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN CANADA
PRESENTED BY: Matthew Gallina and Carolyn McDonald
CONGRESS OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLES
And KAGITA MIKAM
December 6th, 2018

2. ABORIGINAL SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT TRAINING STRATEGY (ASETS)
Labour market program for Indigenous people in Canada
Provides funded and non-funded supports at over 600 points of service
85 Indigenous Agreement Holders funded by Employment Social Development Canada (ESDC)
First Nations communities, Metis, Inuit and Urban served by ASETS Program
Two National ASETS Agreement Holders- Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)

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. HISTORY CONTINUED
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
ASETS agreements are currently in their final year of the funding cycle. ASETS program is ending March 31st, 2018 to replaced with ISETS
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 / ISETS SERVICE AREAS
Provides labour market funding for skills training and employment supports 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)
Original pillars- demand driven training
- reliance on partnerships/linkages
-accountability and capacity building

7. 85 ASETS AGREEMENT HOLDERS IN CANADA
BRITISH COLUMBIA - 15
ALBERTA- 13
SASKATCHEWAN- 2
MANITOBA- 4
ONTARIO- 18
QUEBEC- 5
NOVA SCOTIA- 2
NEW BRUNSWICK -4
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND -1
NEWFOUNDLAND-6
YUKON TERRITORIES-2
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES-7
NUNUVAT- 3
NATIONAL- 2

8. WHAT DETERMINES WHO GETS FUNDED?
EVERY ASETS AGREEMENT HOLDER DEVELOPS THEIR OWN ELGIBILITY CRITERIA!
Eligibility for ASETS funding may depend on:
-type of skills training -youth (NPAAMB)
-length of skills training -priorities of
-Geographic Catchment Areas ASETS holder
-Residency (i.e. Women, client
-Aboriginal Ancestry with multiple barriers)

9. All ASETS Agreement holders fall under 4 streams of funding:
ASETS FUNDING STREAMS
All ASETS Agreement holders fall under 4 streams of funding:
First Nations- applicants living on-reserve or close to their Aboriginal community
Metis –applicants living West of Quebec supported by provincial Metis organizations
Inuit- applicants living in the traditional territory of Northern Canada
Urban- applicants living in largely populated areas away from their aboriginal communities

10. TYPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY ASETS
employment SERVICES
Employment counselling
Career exploration/
Job readiness workshops
Job search on site services
Resume assistance
Mock interviews
Labour Market Information
PLAR
Career Fairs
Referrals (i.e post- secondary funding)
Essential Skills Assessment
Essential/Life Skills Development
Linkages/Partnerships with companies

11. TYPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED
FUNDED SERVICES
Funded services means direct client funding of:
Occupational skills training (certificate, diploma)
Summer job experience/student intern
Wage subsidies (50% for profit; up to 100% not for profit)
Apprenticeship and Pre-apprenticeship skills training
Adult Basic Education/GED
Self employment/ entrepreneurship

12. TYPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS
Employment Retention Supports provide funded assistance to enable a client with a job to continue having a job. Some examples of these supports are:
transportation
childcare (FNICCI for First Nations ASETS holders)
uniforms; clothing
work boots, PPE
Additional training or certificate (i.e. first aid, computer, courses, conference fees)

13. HOW CAN ASETS HELP MY BUSINESS?
Trained / Skilled Indigenous people in various fields ready for work.
Targeted wage subsidies designed for entry into your organization while saving on employee costs.
Increased Aboriginal population in your workforce and stronger ties to Indigenous communities.
Assessment of indigenous candidates looking for work (Employment Readiness Scale, Employability Skills Assessment Tool)

14. MAKE ASETS PART OF YOUR HIRING EQUATION!
Institution provides skills training for an Indigenous student ready to work in a specific field
ASETS provides funding for the Indigenous student to be successful in the training program
Employer hires a qualified Indigenous candidate with no additional training costs

15. SOME EASTERN / SOUTHERN ONTARIO ASETS AGREEMENT HOLDERS
Kagita Mikam- Ottawa (part of Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle)
Miziwe Biik- Toronto (part of Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle)
Metis Nation of Ontario- Ottawa
Niagara Peninsula Area Aboriginal Management Board (NPAAMB)
Tungasuvvingat Inuit- Ottawa
Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres- Toronto
Anishinabek Nation ( Union of Ontario Indians)- North Bay

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

19. Nya:weh, Miigwetch, Hiy Hiy, Merci, Thank you
Questions?
Matthew Gallina-National ASETS Training Coordinator
(613) EXT 225
Carolyn McDonald- Kagita Mikam Aboriginal Employment and Training
(613)
Nya:weh, Miigwetch, Hiy Hiy, Merci, Thank you