Canada Wide Indigenous Skills Training Resources
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These resources apply to ALL provinces & territories in Canada.
While some groups are headquartered in Ottawa, they do serve Indigenous peoples across the ENTIRE COUNTRY.
Provincial & Territorial Indigenous Skills Training Resources
These resources apply ONLY to the specific province or territory.
Contact Info
Quick Start Guide - 7 Steps To Get Funding
This is the road map of skills training resources to access to get funding.
If you want to minimize reading about the resources available, follow this guide.
- ISET funding typically pays for:
- six month job trade skill courses, e.g. construction, plumbing, electrician, welding
- two year college diploma, e.g. practical nursing
- the last year of a university program, bachelor, masters, doctorate
- possibly high school upgrade GED
- ISET funds are given as a grant.
- You keep the ISET funds.
- You do not repay the ISET funds.
- The ISET funds typically pay for tuition, books, fees, equipment & supplies.
- ISET Regional Contacts by Affiliation:
- You still need funds for food, rent & travel, which are usually NOT covered by ISET funding.
- The ISET programs typically encourage you to apply for additional funding via scholarships & trusts.
- As soon as you finish applying for ISET funding, start applying for scholarhips & trusts.
- This no longer happens automatically when you do your Income Tax return.
- You get $6,496 per year for each eligible child under the age of six.
- You get $5,481 per year for each eligible child aged 6 to 17.
- You MUST go to
CRA and register to get the benefit.
- These two ISET groups fund Indigenous people across Canada including Status, Non-Status, Métis & Inuit.
- CAP focuses on people living OFF reserve and OFF Inuit owned lands, those falling through the cracks.
- NWAC is FOR WOMEN ONLY and does not have any residency requirements.
- These two ISET groups are the funders of LAST RESORT.
- Before you apply to one of these groups, you MUST get a written response to your application from the local ISET program.
- If the local ISET group wont give you a written response to your application, work with your local Friendship Center,
Probation Officer or Parole Officer and have them write a letter on your behalf about the situation.
- Friendship Centers may have some funding from other government programs, usually not ISET.
- They may be able to help with some tuition costs, but often rely on other program grants, loans and scholarships
to pay for training.
- Only the Ontario Friendship Centers have ISET funding.
- Friendship Centers regional contacts:
AB
BC
MB
NU
NWT
ON
QC
SK
YK
- You keep the allowance & grant funds.
- You MUST REPAY the loan funds.
- Regional programs:
AB
BC
MB
NU
NWT
ON
QC
SK
YK
Indigenous Skills Employment Training
(ISET)
ISET (previously known as ASETS) Program Scope
The ISET funding typically pays for:
- six month job trade skill courses, e.g. construction, plumbing, electrician, welding
- two year college diploma, e.g. practical nursing
- the last year of a university program, bachelor, masters, doctorate
- possibly high school upgrade GED
ISET Program Selection Criteria
Program selection criteria are customized for each agreement holder.
- The Tribal Councils ISET programs typically needs the candidate to be living on the Tribal Council lands, may require a First Nations Status ID card.
- For Métis, the candidate typically needs to be a member of the Métis Association for the specific
province to access that provinces Métis ISET program.
- The Nunavut ISET programs typically needs the candidate to be living on Inuit owned lands.
ISET Agreement Holders
List of 85 ISET agreement holders
At the bottom of the list of ISET agreement holders, you will see Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and
Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC).
- These two groups fund Indigenous people across Canada including Status, Non-Status, Métis & Inuit.
- CAP focuses on people living OFF reserve and OFF Inuit owned lands, those falling through the cracks.
- NWAC is FOR WOMEN ONLY and does not have any residency requirements.
Regional ISET contact information:
AB
BC
MB
NU
NWT
ON
QC
SK
YK
ISET Funding
ISET funding level has been raised to $408 million per year, starting 2019, see: ISET Funding
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP)
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) can fund training education requests for candidates if their home band denies
them funding.
CAP will help Indigenous of all affiliations, Status, Non-Status, Métis & Inuit BUT WILL PRIORITIZE THE
NON-STATUS INDIANS FIRST.
CAP serves the Indigenous and Inuit community Canada wide.
CAP ISET (previously known as ASETS) Program Scope
CAP ISET funding pays for tuition, books, fees, equipment and supplies for:
- six month job trade skill courses, e.g. construction, plumbing, electrician, welding
- two year college diploma, e.g. practical nursing
- the last year of a university program, bachelor, masters, doctorate
- high school upgrade GED
CAP ISET funding also covers:
- wage subsidy to specific employer to help qualified person obtain employment in their chosen field
- apprenticeships
- summer student
- self employment
- applicants that can demonstrate great financial need may submit documentation requesting funding for
travel / living expenses
CAP ISET Program Selection Criteria
CAP will help Indigenous peoples of all affiliations, Status, Non-Status, Métis & Inuit BUT WILL PRIORITIZE THE
NON-STATUS INDIANS FIRST.
Selection criteria are:
- the candidate MUST be living OFF reserve and OFF Inuit owned lands
- the candidate is currently unemployed or underemployed (minimum wage, limited hours, etc.)
- the candidate has some documentation showing that they have applied to their home band or
local Tribal Council for training funds,
but was denied for reasons beyond their control
- missing a deadline is NOT considered a valid reason
- CAP is looking for those who are basically slipping between the cracks
- the client has been accepted in a skills training program meeting the eligibility criteria
- specifically being industry recognized, 1-year certificates, 2-year Diplomas, Apprenticeships, and
the last year of Degree programs
CAP ISET Ottawa Contact
CAP ISET program coordinator is: Matthew Gallina, 613-747-6022 X225,
m.gallina@abo-peoples.org
CAP Application Form
Download CAP Application Form
Send the completed form and supporting documentation to: Mathew Gallina, 613-747-6022 X225,
m.gallina@abo-peoples.org
A response to the application form usually occurs in 2 to 3 weeks.
Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC)
The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) has ISET funding to pay for skills training,
similar to CAP.
The key difference is that NWAC is FOR WOMEN ONLY, all affiliations, Status, Non-Status, Métis & Inuit.
NWAC has regional affiliated groups in
AB
BC
MB
NWT
ON
QC
SK
YK
(none in NB & NU).
NWAC ISET (previously known as ASETS) Program Scope
NWAC ISET funding typically pays for:
- six month job trade skill courses, e.g. construction, plumbing, electrician, welding
- two year college diploma, e.g. practical nursing
- the last year of a university program, bachelor, masters, doctorate
- possibly high school upgrade GED
NWAC Ottawa Headquarters Contacts
ISET program coordinator is: Andrea Aiabens, 613-854-4718,
aaiabens@nwac.ca
Youth Advocate & Education contact is: Carrington Christmas, 613-854-4799,
cchristmas@nwac.ca
NWAC Application Form
Download NWAC Application Form
Send the completed form and supporting documentation to: Andrea Aiabens, 613-854-4718,
aaiabens@nwac.ca
Non-Status Indian Resources
These ISET funded groups are available to Non-Status Indians.
NB: NWAC is FOR WOMEN ONLY!
See additional resources in Quick Start Guide
Métis Resources
These ISET funded groups are available to Métis.
NB: NWAC is FOR WOMEN ONLY!
See additional resources in Quick Start Guide
Inuit Resources
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) (website)
ITK has an education training program for all Inuit, see:
ITK Amaujaq
ITK Contact
Ottawa contact: Heather Ochalski, 613-238-8181 x241, ochalski@itk.ca
Inuit Regional ISET Resources
NB: NWAC is FOR WOMEN ONLY!
See additional resources in Quick Start Guide
Friendship Centers Program Scope
Friendship Centers typically provide career counselling, resume writing and other services and are available in most
provinces & territories.
Friendship Centers typically will help Indigenous of all affiliations, Status, Non-Status, Métis & Inuit.
Friendship Centers Funding
Friendship Centers may have some funding from other government programs, usually not ISET.
They may be able to help with some tuition costs, but often rely on other program grants, loans and scholarships
to pay for training.
Only the Ontario Friendship Centers have ISET funding
for skills training.
Friendship Centers Contacts
Contact information:
AB
BC
MB
NU
NWT
ON
QC
SK
YK
(none in PEI).
Indigenous Scholarships & Trusts
There are a variety of scholarship & trust funds that help with tuition for Indigenous skills training & education.
- has $10 million in the scholarship fund
- available to all Canadian Aboriginal & Inuit candidates: Status, Non-Status, Métis & Inuit
- awards given 3 times per year
- has $181 million in the scholarship fund
- available for ANY & ALL candidates, Canada & USA
National Indian Brotherhood (NIB) Trust (website)
- individuals can apply for up to $20,000
- the average awarded in 2017 - 2018 to individuals was $3,300
- available to Canadian Status & Non-Status First Nations, Métis citizens (for Inuit, see Inuit DAF below)
- preference is given to former students of residential schools
- the next call for individual applications will be in the spring of 2020
- Inuit individuals can apply for up to $10,000
Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool (website)
Regional Scholarships
See MB
ON
Federal, Provincial & Territorial Training Allowance/Grants/Loans
This is an overview of the Federal, Provincial & Territorial Allowance/Grants/Loans programs across Canada.
Fund Usage
- these funds are given to the student to use as needed, such as tuition, food, rent, travel
- the only restriction on the funds use that I am aware of is that NB says you must go to school in NB
Eligibility Requirements
- most provinces, AB, BC, NB, NL, NS, ON, PEI & QC have a residency requirement of 1 year to qualify
- YK has a residency requirement of 2 years to qualify
- NWT & SK say you must be a resident to qualify (e.g. registered with Ministry of Health)
- the residency requirement is often only visible when you download and read the detailed application forms
- this will slow down student migration for education purposes
- the Federal Government Student Grants & Loans program requires the study program must be at least 60 weeks duration
- this rules out all 6-month construction trades and other shorter courses
Federal Government Student Grants Low Income
(website)
- benefit depends on number of children & family income, see table on the above website
- $94 per week ($375 per month) maximum benefit for 8 months, depends on situation, as a grant
- study program must be at least 60 weeks duration
- this rules out all 6-month construction trades and other shorter courses
- grant is not available to students from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Quebec as they have their own programs
- there is also an optional student loan available, from $2000 up to $4900
- student loans can have a fixed or floating interest rate, see
Repay Student Loan and
Loan Repayment Estimator
- your eligibility for the Canada Student Grant is automatically considered when you apply for assistance through your province or territory of residence
more links
Provincial & Territories Training Allowances/Grants/Loans Programs
Most provinces & territories have a program of allowances, grants and/or loans, see:
AB
BC
MB
NU
NWT
ON
QC
SK
YK
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
(website)
This benefit is available to everyone in Canada, Indigenous, Settlers & New-comers.
While this benefit is not tied to training & education, it really helps pay the bills when you are going to school.
Grandparents with legal guardianship papers for their grandchildren can apply for this benefit.
CCB Current Benefits
- $6,496 per year ($541.33 per month) for each eligible child under the age of six
- $5,481 per year ($456.75 per month) for each eligible child aged 6 to 17
- We start to reduce the amount of CCB you get when your adjusted family net income (AFNI) is over $30,450.
- NB: For ANFI of $160,000 the Calculator below shows you may still get $1,135 per year for one child under age 6.
The calculator also shows HST credit and provincial programs, such as Ontario Child Benefit, Ontario Trillium Benefit,
Saskatchewan Tax Credit, etc.
CCB Registration
You MUST go to
CRA and register to get the benefit.
The "Register Automatically" check box on the Income Tax form was removed after 2017.
While there is some discussion about automatically registering children at birth, this is not available yet.
Other Programs
These programs are available for ALL candidates.
- Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) (details)
- Indigenous specific 3 week free starter no obligation program (details)
- Some courses qualify for Paid Education (details)
- From the FAQ
- When you enrol in the Regular Force, you are expected to sign on for a few years of service
- Terms of service start at three years, but can be longer depending on the type and amount of training you will need for your occupation
- If you join the Forces through a Paid Education program, you will be required to serve two months for every month of paid education
- If you have a conviction under the Criminal Code of Canada or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, you may still
apply to the
Forces, as long as you have served your sentence and no longer have any legal obligations
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) (details)
- From the FAQ (at end of the above page)
- There is no fee for training
- In fact, you will receive an allowance during your 26-week training
- The current Cadet recruitment allowance is $525/week
- The RCMP also covers your room and board, uniform, training courses, insurance and travel to/from Depot
- In exchange, the RCMP requires your commitment to remain an RCMP police officer for a period of two years following hire
- If you resign or are terminated during training, or in the two years following training, the RCMP may require repayment of any allowance received
- Program selection criteria are:
Qualifications including
Good Character
- Correctional Service Canada (CSC)
(details)
- CSC offers neither salary nor allowance during the CTP; however, travel and meal allowances may be available during the
in-class
portion (Stage 3) depending on location of residence.
- Recruits are not required to pay for tuition or any learning material to attend the CTP.
- If you are an Indigenous candidate, you may be eligible for an allowance for your participation in the CTP Stage-3
through your local
ISET stakeholder.
- From Congress of Aboriginal Peoples: If your local ISET stakeholder does not
provide the above allowances, CAP will provide the
allowances. After you have been accepted into the CX training, fill
out the application at:
Download CAP Application and check the
Intervention Type box "Skills Training".
- CSC positions:
Casual Inventory
CX-01 Officers
CX-02 Officers
- What about criminal records?
- I talked to CSC Human Resources at 1-844-661-7857.
- The HR person explained that after a candidate has passed interviews and
written exams, then and only then, their application
is sent to the RCMP for review.
- The RCMP response will be "cleared" or "not cleared", with no further explanation.
- It seems that an existing criminal record is not an automatic disqualification and each case is reviewed individually.
- The HR person did encourage interested parties to apply to CSC even if they have an existing criminal record.