Income and Employment Supports Act, Part 3 Section 20

INTENT

The First Nations Training to Employment Program (FNTEP) supports the development of partnerships designed to create training and work experience projects that lead to employment for First Nations members. These partnerships will assist unemployed or marginally employed First Nations members (primarily living on reserve) gain the necessary skills training and/or work experience in projects to obtain and maintain long-term employment.

The objectives of First Nations Training to Employment Program are to:

• support First Nations members to obtain and maintain long-term, sustainable employment, 
• create workplace training opportunities for First Nations members in occupations that are in labour market demand, and
• support the development of partnerships between First Nations, industry and government.

On-Reserve Population: Band or First Nation is defined in the Indian Act as a body of Indians for whose common use and benefit lands have been set aside or monies held by the Government of Canada or declared by the Governor in Council to be a Band. Most Bands prefer to be referred to as First Nations. In this document, when the term “First Nation” is used in the context of the Indian Act, it refers to an Indian Act Band.

POLICY

First Nations Training to Employment Program participants are:

• a First Nations member, unemployed or marginally employed, and
• in need of and benefit from skills training in order to obtain and maintain sustainable employment.

A minimum of 51% of individuals in the First Nations Training to Employment Program project must be First Nations members (primarily living on-reserve).

Program Components

First Nations Training to Employment Program projects will:

• be initiated and managed by a First Nations Band, Treaty Council or Tribal Organization, 
• include a partnership among First Nations, industry/employer and government,
• be custom designed for the individual group,
• include classroom training and work experience when appropriate, and
• meet specific industry employment needs.

The range of program projects possible under the First Nations Training to Employment Program is dependent upon the training needs identified by the steering committee. There is significant flexibility in program design. The program can address:

• training from employability skills to occupational skills training
• work exposure
• job coaching and mentoring.

Program projects can be custom designed if required and must not duplicate existing programs.

Funding Parameters

The Alberta government's funding contribution can only be used to support direct training (e.g. instructor fees, training materials, equipment rental, tutors, etc.) and project management/coordinator costs. The Government of Alberta's funding contribution to First Nations Training to Employment Program projects cannot be used to support living allowance costs, nor used to purchase equipment or any other form of permanent asset (i.e. land or buildings).

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Alberta Region, will support First Nations on-reserve learners who have been accepted into and participating in a FNTEP project with ISC Learner Benefits. Individual(s) must make a request for Learner Benefits to their First Nation Social Services Administrator or Issuing Authority with the supported documentation such as a letter stating individual’s name, band and dates of the project from the First Nation, Tribal Council, Training Provider or Indigenous Partnership Coordinator associated with the Grant Agreement. Individual(s) can be funded by another source to provide for their training and living allowance costs (e.g. ASETS holder).

See Income Support Policy Manual, ISC, Alberta Region.

To ensure the success of the First Nations Training to Employment Program, adequate project funding must be in place. Before project funding is committed by Alberta Labour, a letter(s) indicating the specific level of anticipated support (financial and/or in-kind) by all partners must be provided to Alberta Labour.

See Appendix A, First Nations Training to Employment Program: Proposal Submission Guidelines for proposal format information.

Duration/Enrollment

First Nations Training to Employment Program is a full-time training initiative (minimum 25 hours per week) with a minimum of 3 weeks to a maximum of 52 weeks in duration.

Partnership

To ensure that an adequate support network for First Nations Training to Employment Program exists, each Partnership must include:

• A First Nation Band, Tribal Council or Treaty Organization although multiple representation is encouraged (i.e. ASETS holder), 
• Industry (e.g. employer, industry association, or union), and
• Alberta Labour.

Other provincial departments, the federal government and/or community partners are encouraged to participate as deemed necessary.

Requirements of Partners

First Nations partners will:

• identify the training opportunity
• lead the program project proposal process
• initiate communication with other partners
• be a potential funding agent 
• establish a steering committee (a steering committee must be established to oversee the planning, delivery, evaluation and reporting requirements of the project) 
• ensure all individuals receive proper support during training (e.g. living allowances, transportation, childcare, work clothes, equipment, and other community supports e.g. addictions counselling, and Elder support). Ensure community support exists and is sustained during the project period
• designate an individual to act as project coordinator who will:
  • monitor individual(s) progress and attendance 
  • serve as a liaison between government and other partners
  • assist in the training and employment support needs of the project participants

Employer/Union and Industry partners will:

• identify employment opportunities 
• identify the skills needed to succeed in the specified occupation
• identify pre-requisites and work requirements 
• be a potential funding agent
• validate the employment opportunity with a letter of intent
• provide quality and realistic work experience and be prepared to offer employment to project graduates

Alberta Labour as a partner will:

• provide leadership and support to the program as needed, and
• become a potential funding agent; and
• ensure that data is entered in an agreed upon format and reporting requirements of the Grant Agreement are met for accountability purposes.

Procurement Method

First Nations Training to Employment Program funding is provided through a Grant Agreement signed with the First Nation Band, Treaty Council or Tribal Organization and based upon a proposal developed by the First Nations Training to Employment Program partnership.

PROCEDURE

The program may involve a four-step process:

• Development of a First Nations Training to Employment Program partnership
• Development of a First Nations Training to Employment Program project proposal by the partnership (identifies the project purpose, design and how it will be delivered)
• Grant Agreement with a First Nations Band, Treaty Council or Tribal Organization
• Evaluation

The First Nations Training to Employment Program partnership will create a steering committee to oversee the program aspects of the project and may designate a project coordinator to oversee the day-to-day operations of the project.

Program Access/Entrance

Individuals may self-refer or are referred by a First Nations Band, grant holder or training provider to access the First Nations Training to Employment Program. A First Nations Training to Employment Program partnership can establish a selection committee to develop the steps in the individual application, individual assessment, individual training plans and selection process.

Program Exit

The First Nations Training to Employment Program concludes upon completion of all the requirements of the training program. If the individual is having difficulty completing the program, the designated project coordinator will assess the situation and change(s) will be recommended for successful completion of the training program.

Individual(s) who withdraw from the training program early may require further assessment and will be referred back to their Band, grant holder or training provider for follow up. Individuals will be monitored for attendance and progress.

The Appeal Process

If an individual wishes to appeal a decision with respect to the training program, then the appeal must be made to the selection committee to determine further action.

Appendix – First Nations Training to Employment Program

Proposal Submission Guidelines

Proposal Format
The following format and sequence should be followed to ensure that each proposal receives full consideration:

Title Page: Lead applicant name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, and the name of the contact person.

Letter of Introduction: One (1) page, introducing the proposal, and signed by the person(s) authorized to sign on behalf of, and bind the applicant to, statements made in the proposal.

Table of Contents: Show the page numbers of all major headings.

Body: See “Proposal Content Requirements” for information on completing the following sections:

1. Executive Summary
2. Objectives of the Project
3. Project Partners
4. Training Providers
5. Individual Profile
6. Project Activities
7. Outcomes
8. Financial Requirements
9. Individual Tracking and Other Reporting Requirements
10. Add any additional information in an appendix

Proposal Content Requirements: The following outlines the information required in the body of proposals.

1. Executive Summary
   Provide a one page (or less) Executive Summary.
   
   
2. Objectives of the Project
   
   Describe the overall objectives of the project, and respond to the following questions:
   
   • What skills will participants gain?
   • Where will participants be employed after training?
   • How will the project result in long-term employment for participants?
   • Describe the research done to demonstrate labour market demand for workers with the occupational skills gained through the project.
     
     
3. Project Partners
   
   • List the partners involved in the project (include organization name, address, telephone, fax, e-mail, and name of contact person. Identify the lead partner if there is one.
   • Define clearly each partner’s role in the project, e.g., monetary contributions, delivery of training components, donations to the project and other in-kind contributions.
   • Provide copies of any related agreements associated with the partnership, e.g., band council resolutions, employment placement commitments and other related agreements.
   • A steering committee must be established to oversee the planning, delivery, evaluation and reporting requirements of the project. Who will be on the steering committee? Who will act as chairperson? What authority will the steering committee have over the project.
     
     
4. Training Providers
   
   • Who are the project’s training providers?
   • How and why they were selected?
   • Demonstrate that the training provider is committed to delivering the required training as part of this project.
     
     
5. Individual Profile
   
   • For what type of participant is the project best suited?
   • Describe the participant minimum eligibility requirements for this program.
   • How many participants will this project train?
     
     
6. Project Activities
   
   • Assessment: Describe how potential participants will be assessed to determine their eligibility and suitability. Eligibility criteria should be validated by industry and the training provider.
   • Training Plan
   • Timelines
   • Resources Required
     
     
7. Outcomes
   Detail the benefits or changes for individuals during or after participating in the project.
   
   
8. Financial Requirements
   
   • Provide a detailed operational budget for the entire project.
   • What portion of the funding is being requested from Alberta Labour? Identify what Alberta Labour is responsible for funding.
   • Identify any other funders for this project and the amount they will contribute. Identify what other partners are responsible for funding.
   • Identify the processes that will be in place to ensure financial accountability is achieved, e.g., financial management process, accounting process, etc.
     
     
9. Reporting Requirements
   
   • Describe which partner will take the lead in data entry in order to fulfill accountability of outcomes for participants involved in the project.
   • Describe the post-project reporting and evaluation processes that will be used to report on achieved outcomes - the number employed at 3 and 12 months after training has been completed.

How to Apply

• Contact Indigenous Partnerships to apply.

Contact

To connect with the Career Information Hotline:

Phone: 780-422-4266 (Edmonton)
Toll free: 1-800-661-3753
Email: IPC@gov.ab.ca