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Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ISETS)

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The First Nation Labour Market Strategy, under the ISETS Program will “help close the employment and earning gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people” with “a stronger focus on training for higher quality, better paying jobs rather than rapid re-employment,” as well as assisting “clients to gain greater skills and find jobs that will support their long-term career success.”

2019-2029, 10-year agreement between KKETS and Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, KKETS is one of 22 ISETA holders in Ontario

KKETS holds an agreement with Service Canada for only 8 of our Matawa communities:

The communities we serve are: Aroland, Constance Lake, Eabametoong, Ginoogaming, Marten Falls, Neskantaga, Nibinamik and Webequie.

All Long Lake #58 membership must refer to the Long Lake #58 band office for funding since they hold their own agreement with Service Canada.

Funding Streams


EI Eligible Clients

EI Eligible Clients can access a special funding stream by being on EI or who have been on EI in the last 5 years (Reachback Client). Applications must fill out the EI page on the intake form to give KKETS permission to check their EI status.

The EI check only takes a minute and can be completed by our in-house staff. The EI check should be done at the beginning of the application process to identify proper GL Codes when funding is distributed.

An eligible EI client who is currently employed but would like to train and get a better or higher paying job can request a 'Right to Quit', where they can end their employment and still access EI benefits while training. This request must be made and approved before ending employment.

CRF Eligible Clients

The Consolidated Revenue Fund is the bulk of where our ISETS funding comes from. If a client does not qualify for the EI fund their funding will be drawn from this budget which is larger. KKETS monitors the expenditures to ensure we don’t exceed our budget allowances. We consider this when reviewing applications. Clients can access all programming with CRF.

Focus of Programming

Construction

Construction is a multi-billion-dollar industry in Canada that offers high demand careers. It features electricians, carpenters, plumbers, steamfitters/pipefitter, welders, heavy equipment operators, and painters, among other trades.

Transportation

Transportation includes maintenance and repair of vehicles - ranging from automobiles and motorcycles, to trucks and heavy equipment. Transportation includes trades such as automotive service technicians, heavy-duty equipment technicians, motorcycle technicians, and more.

Manufacturing & Industrial

Manufacturing and Industrial features careers in many different manufacturing sectors, including automotive (parts and vehicle manufacturing), product manufacturing, and the resource extraction and processing industries. Manufacturing trades include tool and die makers, industrial mechanics (millwrights), metal fabricators, and more.

The Services

The Services sector is a major industry in the Canadian economy and includes cooks, bakers, hairstylists, landscape horticulturists, and more.

Information & Digital Technology

Information and Digital Technology skills are central to many trades including instrumentation and control technicians, machinists, and crane operators.

Programs Offered Under ISETS

Target Wage Subsidy

The Targeted Wage Subsidy program is designed to encourage employers to hire Matawa individuals who would not be able to afford to hire them. Based on need. This program is a cost shared between KKETS and the employer.

KKETS will contribute 50% of the minimum wage. The Target Wage Subsidy program is designed to support on-the-job training for Matawa members who encounter employment barriers when entering the workforce and gives the client real work experience and training for better work prospects.

Job Creation

A Job Creation partnership provides individuals with opportunities through which they can gain work experience which leads to on-going employment and help individuals to obtain skills for employment, ranging from basic to advanced skills.

Job Creation pays a minimum wage salary with the expectation a new job will be created at the end of the agreement.

Individual Training

  • Clients who have employment opportunities in a field of work but does not have the skills required to secure new or better employment can apply for Individual Training.

Individual Training often include other supports such as:
  • PPE (work boots, gloves, vests), Training Allowance, Travel to and from training,
  • Accommodations while training, Bus subsidy, Child Care, Tuition fee’s for training
Students can apply for skills upgrading in health and safety, in the trades training through colleges or private organizations. The criteria is heavily focused on employability after the completion of training, and a strong desire to improve ones hirable skills.
Mobility
  • Clients who need to travel from their community for new employment can apply for mobility. Or if they need bus fare to and from a job interview. Supports are limited for the duration of travel. Often we support bus fare’s.
Pre-Employment Support
  • Clients who have secured employment but require PPE or travel can apply for pre-employment supports. A letter from their employer should state which items are required for the employee to start work.

Applying to ISETS

Step 1

What kind of career are you looking for?

The first thing you need to think about is where you’d like to work and the kind of job you’d like to have. Is it in carpentry, heavy equipment for mining or roads, or do you see yourself working in forestry? If you know which career you’d like to move into or where you’d like to work move to step 2.

Step 2

Find your training!

  • it must be 40 weeks and under in length
  • be a certificate program in the trades (KKETS does not fund academic programs like diplomas/degrees etc.)
  • get your acceptance letter from your program and make sure your intake is at least 4 weeks away to give the KKETS staff enough time review and complete your application

Step 3

Complete the application form.

All pages or questions must be completed in full and signed. We will also need an updated resume (so we can see your employment history and skills) as well as a cover letter stating how this training will assist you in finding better or new employment. Once all these steps are complete, the Intake staff will work on your application with you.

Other Projects

FNICCI

Daycare funding flow-through to Nibinamik and Constance Lake.

ILMI Surveys

Funding received from AES. Inc to complete labour market surveys in the KKETS ISETS communities. Program extended to March 31, 2025.

To be part of the Survey please visit: Indigenous Labour Marketing Information (ILMI)

Apprenticeship Partnership

ISETS partners with the Apprenticeship department to supplement the costs of running KKETS TDA Status Programs in Carpentry and Residential Construction Worker.

ISETS will continue to help plan, recruit and sponsor registered apprentice clients into taking their Level 1, Level 2 certifications as they work towards their Red Seal status. 

In Community Projects

The ISETS team is working on creating better resources for in-community staff to guide them into bringing better, more information and skills related workshops into their communities. As well as partnering with in-community organizations such as the OW offices/other community based organizations.

Employment Pathways

The ISETS team, with the assistance of the Employment Counsellor is working to create stronger connections with employers in our service area and the clients we serve. We are developing stronger relationships to expediate our clients into more fulfilling, better paying careers in the trades. 

A Success Story

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