Services & Resources

Employment & Training

Written by Fort William First Nation - December 7, 2011

Fort William First Nation Employment & Training Update

Client Interaction

Between April 1″ 2011 and June 7′h 20111 have seen 50+ community members with regards to Employment and Training needs.

  • 12 individuals are currently on Targeted Wage Agreements
  • 4 are currently enrolled in 10 month programs ( 2 hairdressing, 2 Payroll Supervisor)
  • 2 have enquired about starting their own businesses and are working on gathering proper documentation to access the Self-Employment Benefit program.
  • 7 have received funding for various skills purchases i.e., first aid, firefighting, computers, and security.
  • 9 have received employment start up to help starting a new job opportunity.
  • 13 have made appointments for employment counselling -resume building, and inquiries into funding.
  •  6 individuals attended information sessions

2011 Summer Student Employment Program

This year the Summer Student Program is program is able to provide 70 placement opportunities for our

Youth. Each student will have the opportunity to work for 4 weeks. The sessions will run from;

  • July 4th to July 29th 2011
  • August 1st to August 26th 2011

I have been able to secure funding from;

  • FWFN LDM $26,110
  • Canada Summer Jobs $16,053
  • NCB Ontario Works $25,000
  • INAC $10,300

Total Funding $77,463

$23,127 is still needed to fund the program

(10.25 per hour x 28 hours per week x 4 weeks =1148 +MERC’s 289 (approx.) =1437 $1,437 x 70 Students = $100,590 -$77,463= $23,127)

Placement Opportunities have been created to date with;

  • Fort William First Nation: Administration, Health, Arena
  • Zellers
  • Robin’s Donuts
  • Westfort Foods
  • A Spa for You
  • Anishinabe Art gallery
  • Skaarup Construction

(I am in the process of securing more placements)

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Fort William First Nation Employment & Training have been partnering together to create a very unique opportunity for interested community members.

The IBEW has offered to work with our community to generate a number of Electrical Apprenticeship opportunities. Those interested would be hired to work on the Sky Power Project and would begin accumulating the necessary hours. A grade 12 diploma or equivalency is required, BUT they are willing to work with the individual and the Employment & Training Program to ensure those who do not have grade 12 are working towards this goal. These individuals would be probationary apprentices. Once the Sky Power project is complete the FWFN Electrical Apprentices would belong to the IBEW Union and would continue to get employment opportunities.

On June 1st we hosted an information session for Community members to attend. Only 2 individuals showed up for this event.

We now have 17 individuals signed on for this prospect and I am still canvassing the community for more.

We are also planning a training session for First Aid, WHIMIS, etc to ensure theses individuals are job ready.

RES Canada

As of May 9th 2011, I have also taken onthe role of the Supervisor for the FWFN Security Guards employed through this project. I am responsible for attending Health and Safety Meetings periodically in Dorion, Overseeing the hiring and day to day needs of the Security guards, Scheduling of shifts and signing timesheets.

While looking at some background information about this project, I came across an agreement in which RES states they shall make available two (2) study bursaries of $5000.00 each to two members of the First Nation, who register with and successfully complete an accredited wind turbine technician program. I am currently researching programs.

Anishinabek Police Service: Cadet Information Session

Employment & Training and APS collaborated together on May 25th to provide an information session for those looking into the Policing Career. Refreshments were provided. 5 individuals were in attendance.

Resume Writing Workshops

Employment & Training in partnership with YES Employment offered 2 resume writing workshops to the community during the month of May. There was no response of interest in the community.

Needs

  • To be able to have access to the website for Employment and Training as I have an continuous flow of information to provide to the Community. I currently do not have a means to communicate with off reserve members and the community flyer system does not work well.