Indigenous Peoples

In Canada’s North, entrepreneurship is important for local job creation and economic diversification. Because many entrepreneurs are Indigenous, their businesses also bring direct economic benefits to their communities. To support entrepreneurship, strong networks and access to training, mentorship and other supports are essential.

This project was designed to address two key issues related to training programs that address skills gaps in manufacturing—employer underinvestment and low participation. The Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC), in partnership with Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC), piloted an outcomes-based “pay-for-performance” model, which reimbursed employers if they successfully supported the delivery of EMC’s Manufacturing Essentials Certification soft skills training program and met key performance targets.

Indigenous and Northern entrepreneurship and businesses play a crucial role in bolstering local economies by supporting economic diversification, job creation and community development. 

To address the economic gaps that persist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada, Workforce Warriors Inc. launched the Leadership Development for Indigenous Communities project.

The Upskill and Certify Indigenous Child and Youth Practitioners project aimed to address the barriers that Indigenous child and youth workers face in accessing postsecondary opportunities to build skills and advance their careers.

Developed in response to the challenges amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, this program combined competency-based microcredentials, culturally relevant curricula, and wraparound supports to empower participants with the skills and confidence to thrive in their chosen fields—while also helping meet evolving workforce needs.