If you are an unemployed or underemployed KDFN citizen, you may be eligible for funding to learn a skill or gain a qualification that will help you find employment. The fund, called Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program is a federal program offered by KDFN that can be used to help citizens get money to buy work gear needed for employment, sponsor a training program, and in some cases subsidize wages.

To learn more about whether you qualify for funding, or to apply, visit Kenädän Ku between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays or call 867-633-8422 to speak to the ISET Program Coordinator.

The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program provides unemployed or underemployed Kwanlin Dün citizens access to training for skills and certifications (such as First Aid, WHMIS, Chainsaw Safety, etc.) that are critical to securing certain types of employment. It can provide funding for citizens to access work gear needed for employment, training sponsorships and, in some cases, a wage subsidy. KDFN’s ISET Program also offer a range of wrap-around services (such as help with transportation) while you’re training to achieve your long-term career goals.

The ISET Program, a national strategy to support Indigenous employment and training, is designed to help Indigenous Peoples prepare for, and find high-demand jobs that will help address Canada’s labour market challenges.

The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program to which is the successor to the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) is provided in part through an agreement with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and the Government of Canada. The ASETS program was previously administered through Aboriginal Labour Force Alliance (ALFA) for Kwanlin Dün First Nation.

The objectives of the ISET Program is:

• To support First Nations in developing employment skills by pursuing training for employment and long-term careers, and by recognizing their unique needs, with the ultimate objective of closing the employment, earnings, and skills gaps between First Nations and non-Indigenous people; and,
• To support and enhance capacity of First Nations’ service delivery organizations and structures to customize culturally appropriate services to support their clients throughout the employment continuum by developing and improving skills and employment training.

To be eligible for services and financial assistance provided through the Kwanlin Dün ISET Program, individuals must:

• Be a KDFN Citizen, regardless of their location of residence
• Be unemployed or underemployed, or in a situation deemed to support the purpose of the funding
• Possess an Action Plan that supports their request for progression along their skills development and employment path
• Be an active participant in their own Action Plan, as co-determined by the supported citizen and a designated KDFN Education Department staff member
• Complete and sign their Action Plan and other required intake forms
• Complete and sign any additional forms under specific programming as required
• Be in good financial standing with KDFN

To be eligible for financial assistance provided through the KDFN ISET Program’s Employment Insurance Part II Program, individuals must:

• Meet all of the criteria as listed in Program Eligibility, and;
• Be an EI Client