Media.Knet.Ca

The April 2008 report "EMPLOYABILITY IN CANADA: PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE" from the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities provides the Federal Government with some very clear recommendations concerning education, training, employment, etc.

Click here to go to report web site where a copy of the complete report can be downloaded

from Page 91 of the report ...

Closing the Gap in Socio-Economic Outcomes between Canada’s Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal People

Members of the Committee believe that the federal government must continue to invest in Aboriginal human capital and other initiatives that aim to close the gap in socioeconomic outcomes between Canada’s Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations. The federal government must work in partnership with provincial and territorial governments, the business sector and Aboriginal organizations to create sustainable economic opportunities for Aboriginal people. We must ensure that Aboriginal children and youth have the necessary literacy skills, education, and training to meet current and future labour market demands. Aboriginal learners must be able to access, finance and complete apprenticeship programs and other post-secondary education programs. Innovative solutions must also be implemented to facilitate their transition from education to employment. Such innovations might include offering pre-employment training to provide information about the workplace culture and clarify employer expectations, as well as using Aboriginal employment role models or mentors to motivate young people to pursue an education or a particular career. Discriminatory barriers in the workplace that limit Aboriginal employment opportunities must be eliminated through measures such as campaigns to raise employers’ awareness of diversity issues. Other barriers to employment, such as the crisis in Aboriginal housing, relocation issues and the need for adequate funding for Aboriginal child care, must also be addressed to ensure that Aboriginal people have an equal opportunity to join the labour force. Federal programs and services offered to Aboriginal people and organizations must be culturally sensitive and inclusive.

Recommendation 3.6

The Committee recommends that Human Resources and Social Development Canada conduct a comprehensive evaluation, in full consultation with Aboriginal groups, of the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy to assess the results to date and to determine whether the Strategy can: meet the needs of Aboriginal working parents (particularly single mothers); meet the needs of a rapidly growing young Aboriginal population that will reach working age in the near future; and achieve its long-term goal of raising the Aboriginal employment rate to a level comparable to that found among non-Aboriginal Canadians. Based on the results of this evaluation, the federal government should, if necessary, dedicate additional resources as needed, in particular by adopting long-term strategies of ten years to provide Aboriginal organizations, including band governments, planning and consultation time in the beginning years so they can take full advantage of the opportunities offered, and make any necessary modifications to the Strategy to enhance its effectiveness in meeting the employability needs of Aboriginal people.

Recommendation 3.7

The Committee recommends that the federal government, in partnership with provincial/territorial governments and Aboriginal stakeholders, take immediate steps to strengthen the commitment to provide high-quality, culturally relevant elementary and secondary education to Aboriginal students. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada should develop culturally sensitive measures and programs to reduce the high school drop-out rate among Aboriginal students and to better prepare students for post-secondary education. Pilot projects that would allow students to be linked with successful Aboriginal mentors should be used to strengthen school attendance and completion. The Committee recognizes the particular need to address education for First Nations and Aboriginal people from a lifelong learning perspective which includes: early childhood development; kindergarten to grade 12; post-secondary education; adult education and training. Part of this approach must include a commitment to build more schools on reserves to address the chronic lack of classroom space.

Recommendation 3.8

The Committee recommends that the federal government commit to better supporting Indigenous education institutions, taking into consideration the proposals in Budget 2008.

Recommendation 3.9

The Committee recommends that the federal government take the necessary steps to improve access to post-secondary education for Aboriginal people. Among other initiatives, the eligibility criteria for the Post-Secondary Student Support Program and the University College Entrance Preparation Program offered through Indian and Northern Affairs Canada should be broadened, and the budget for these programs should be increased and indexed to growth in the Aboriginal post-secondary school-age population. The federal government must continue to support the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Post-Secondary Student Support Program and consider removing the two per cent cap instituted in 1996.

Recommendation 3.10

The Committee recommends that the federal government, in collaboration with provincial/territorial governments and Aboriginal stakeholders, develop a program to raise awareness among Aboriginal people about the importance of, and economic benefits associated with, completing a post-secondary education.

Recommendation 3.11

The Committee recommends that Human Resources and Social Development Canada encourage the participation of Aboriginal people in trades-related training by working with Aboriginal stakeholders to examine initiatives and budgets geared specifically to meeting the needs of Aboriginal workers.

Recommendation 3.12

The Committee recommends that the federal government continue to support and implement fully the Racism-free Workplace Strategy to reduce discriminatory barriers to employment, promote a better understanding of Aboriginal cultural issues, and promote the socioeconomic advancement of Aboriginal people.

Recommendation 3.13

The Committee recommends that the federal government, in partnership with other governments and Aboriginal stakeholders, develop innovative solutions to relocation problems that arise when Aboriginal people, especially youth and women, move to urban centres in search of employment.

Recommendation 3.14

The Committee recommends that the federal government examine the feasibility of developing incentive-based programs to encourage partnerships between employers operating near reserves and Aboriginal stakeholders that would foster training and employment opportunities on or near reserves.

Recommendation 3.15

The Committee recommends that the federal government, in partnership with provincial/territorial governments and Aboriginal organizations, develop a national Aboriginal housing policy to address the needs of Aboriginal people living on and off reserves. To maximize the socio-economic benefits of this policy, skills training should be provided to Aboriginal people who are interested in jobs related to residential construction, housing services and other occupations in the housing industry.

Recommendation 3.16

The Committee recommends that the federal government recommit to an Aboriginal Business Strategy, in which it would support Aboriginal economic development by setting fixed targets to make Aboriginal owned businesses a preferred supplier of services and materials, especially in remote and northern regions.