The Aboriginal Skills Advancement Project (ASAP)

ABOUT KKETS MISSION STATEMENT: To provide culturally appropriate opportunities for education, training and employment by providing professional advisory support services, relevant systems and programs to empower individuals to take initiative for change in their own lives

Vision & Goals To encourage the development of human resources within our member First Nations that will improve the labor market situation for long-term employment and/or business opportunities Create a sense of awareness and ownership in communities, including strong relationships and partnerships that will increase the number of educated and employed individuals who are active competitors in the workforce and will ultimately result in healthy and prosperous communities.

Our mission is to serve a diverse multicultural, and multi-aged community with the highest quality of education

Enrolment 2005 2014 (M = 2623) 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014

Graduates 2005 2014 (M =135 ) 250 200 150 100 50 0 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 7

Voluntary Aboriginal Self Identification 2007 2013 (M = 898) 8

EPOs: Hybrid Learning (Phase 2) & Single Parent Initiative (Phase 2) 9

About Matawa An alliance of nine (9) Ojibway and Oji- Cree Northern Ontario First Nations ABOUT MATAWA FIRST NATIONS Our communities are situated within the James Bay Treaty #9 and the Robinson Superior Treaty 1850 Ontario They consist of remote and road access communities with a total population of approx. 8,000 people Matawa First Nations Management Inc. was formed in 1988 as a not for profit Tribal Council KKETS is the employment and training corporation for Matawa First Nations

First Nations Issues ISSUES IN MATAWA FIRST NATIONS High unemployment rate in communities (60-80%) Inadequate Housing Inadequate Water and Sewer Systems Prescription Drug Misuse Health Issues (Diabetes, Mental Health) High level of Suicide among Youth High levels of Poverty - 80% of First Nation children under the age of 6 living in poverty

500 KM northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont. in the traditional territories of several Matawa First Nations Chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, gold and palladium. about 100 mining companies with holdings 2 proposed mines (Cliffs Chromite and Noront Nickel) Area is pristine, never experienced industrial development

KKETS Employment Training Model TOWES ASSESSMENT Education (PLAR) Career Orientation Experiences PHASE 1: Prepare PHASE 2: Educate To Train PHASE 3: Train for Employment PHASE 4: Employment

Background & Program Launch

ASAP Background The Opportunity (where did this idea come from): Education gaps (high school incompletion), low levels of literacy/numeracy, skills and training; grade 12 hiring requirement to meet labour market and employer hiring demands. Prepare and Educate! Original Concept: Aboriginal Skills Advancement Pilot Program (ASAPP) ASAP Goal: To prepare Matawa First Nation members for entry into the labour market based on career planning that is synchronized with the growth of the mining sector and other supportive industries. To improve access to employment opportunities, post-secondary education, training and apprenticeships. What ASAP Provides Opportunity to graduate with a grade 12 diploma (OSSD) with employability and life skills, basic certifications and to further pursue post-secondary education, training, or employment. WHO PROVIDED US WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY: MTCU

RECRUITMENT: INTAKE, ASSESSMENTS ASAP FOCUS The types of activities occurring in ASAP include: Prior to acceptance into the program: intake application complete LAEC s academic assessment (new) in advance personal identifications and a copy of high school transcript or completed consent form to obtain a copy of high school transcript form prior to acceptance. KKETS intake applications and processes have been amended as part of program improvement, effective program planning and to ensure student needs are met with the appropriate supports at the onset (social development), and to ensure no disruption of OW benefits occurs which will nurture the OW and KKETS collaboration. The career assessment would occur once the student is accepted into the program and would be integrated into the program. Travel and outreach to First Nations KKETS Employment Community Coordinators

Travel & Recruitment

Instructional Program PLAR SEA GLS OLC

Senior Maths Senior English Post Secondary Req. HOW?

ASAP SUCCESSES During the Pilot Phase: 100 Matawa First Nation members enrolled in the pilot (October 29, 2012 to February 28, 2014) and 62 successful graduates 4 different classes commenced during this period 1 General Equivalency Diploma class Nov 19/12 3 High School Credit Accumulation (Ontario Secondary School Diploma Oct 29/12, Mar 18/13, Jul 8/13) Currently: 2014/15 fiscal, KKETS was successful in its renewal proposal to MTCU 100 Matawa First Nation members enrolled and as of November 30, 2014, 30 students are successful graduates The remaining students have until March 2015 to achieve success

HOW HAVE WE ACHIEVED STUDENT SUCCESS?

Social & Cultural Supports

INTEGRATION OF ACADEMICS, SOCIAL, EMPLOYABILITY, CULTURAL AND LIFE SKILLS ONGOING INTEGRATED COMPONENTS LIFE SKILLS, EMPLOYMENT READINESS, CULTURAL, EMOTIONAL, COMMUNITY (ONGOING integrated into program from beginning to end): Basic certifications would include (but not limited to) WHMIS, First Aid, CPR, Fall Arrest, Service Excellence, and obtaining drivers licences required for career/employment goals. Basic certifications training would be outsourced. Employers would be accessed for presentations on employment ethics, employment opportunities and career awareness. External community agencies would be accessed for identification clinics, living a healthy life style, family support programs, legal supports and other community services that would support the student while living in Thunder Bay.

A UNIQUE PROGRAM! To date no program exists that has achieved such a great success rate in a short time frame, while providing a holistic approach to meeting Aboriginal learners needs which incorporates academic learning, Elder supports, social/emotional and transitional supports, cultural, life and employability skills tailored to the individual learner.

ASAP Staffing ASAP Staff ASAP Project Coordinator ASAP Project Assistant ASAP Client Supports Officer (2) Role Coordination, supervising, managing and monitoring program activities Financial and administrative support Provide emotional, social, transitional supports Attendance monitoring ASAP Student Advisor ASAP Academic Supports (2) Elder (on-site) Social Development Officer LAEC Instructors (4) ASAP TRADES Officer Connection to community services/supports eg. Legal, Ontario Works, Child Care, Medical, Housing Employability/life skills workshops, assisting with connecting students to post-secondary, funding, employment outcomes upon completion, Career Assessments/counselling Tutor / Scaffolding supports (Math/English) to establish foundation skills where literacy and numeracy levels are low Counseling and cultural supports Provide addiction counseling and intervention plan/supports Delivery of high school credit courses PLAR academic assessments Assist students interested in the skilled trades e.g. sign up, applications, hours, training, employers etc.

ASAP PARTNERSHIPS Funded by Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Lakehead Adult Education Centre delivers instructional services in-classroom instruction Education institutions Colleges/Universities Various Employers Noront, Aecon, Toromont, Vector Construction etc. City of Thunder Bay orientation / community services Various community agencies Health/Wellness/Legal/Cultural Services Ministry of Community Social Services (Ontario Works Policy Directive Sept 2013) First Nation Ontario Works Administrator Thunder Bay District Social Services Board

Q & A?

Students