GRFN Employment & Skills Development

Who are we and what do we do?

Garden River First Nation Employment & Skills Development administers the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) program which is designed to help improve the employment and training opportunities for First Nation people. The ASETS program meets the needs of the labour market and is responsive to the skill demands of employers while promoting strategic partnerships with the private sector and other governments. It is designed to assist individuals to maintain and develop the necessary employability skills to enter or re-enter the labourmarket. This program is funded by Service Canada.

Who is Eligible?

To be eligible for ASETS funding, the participant must be a Garden River First Nation Band Member; (however, services and resources are available to everyone) must be experiencing a barrier to employment; be unemployed or substantially underemployed; or require skill development.

How Does It Work?

An intake process must take place and application forms must be completed; and a need for training will be assessed on a case-by-case bases following the necessary guidelines within each program outline which includes:

•First Nations people with Disabilities - First Nation persons with self-identity as having a physical, mental or learning disability and are in need of assistance to prepare for, find and maintain employment and self-employment.

•Employment Supports/Start Up - participants with confirmed offer of full-time employment for 6 months or longer will be provided one-time assistance who require supplies or other necessities to begin full-time employment.

•Job Opportunity Program/Targeted Wage Subsidy - unemployed individuals facing employment barriers can be provided with training and work experience with qualified employers/trainers to gain valuable knowledge and skills necessary to enter into the labour force.

•Mobility Assistance - participants who have obtained employment and who are relocating a minimum of 100km for purposes of full time employment with verification of employment can be provided with relocation assistance.

•Self-Employment Assistance - unemployed individuals who want to start their own businesses and to become self-employed will be provided income support while starting their business during the preliminary start-up phase.

•Skills Enhancement/Direct Course Purchase - unemployed/underemployed persons who require assistance to overcome existing or anticipated labour market barriers by arranging a variety of training courses with qualified trainers.

•Youth Work Experience Program - First Nation youth between the ages of (15-30) who have not successfully been able to find employment in their chosen career or educational paths.

•Job Creation - To Provide opportunities for unemployed workers to maintain and develop skills in order to enter or re-enter the labour market and at the same time encouraging community development.

• Apprenticeship Training - To provide First Nations persons, who are eligible for assistance to prepare for, find and maintain employment through Apprenticeship opportunities.

• First Nation Job Fund - participants must be in receipt of social assistance (Niigaaniin), must be 18-24 years of age interested in training opportunities that will help you get sustainable employment.

Additional Services Available:

Resume Building - our staff will sit and assist you build or re-build an effective resume.

Cover Letters - our staff will sit and assist you create an effective cover letter for a job application.

Career Search - Meet and discuss potential employment options and career goals.

Job Board - View hiring jobs within the community, surrounding areas and out of town employment.

Employment Counselling - our staff will counsel you through employment complications to get you back on track to an effective, great employee!

Resource Room - Computers, printing and faxing are available for individuals to complete resumes, assignments, job search, etc.