First Nations and Inuit Student Summer Employment Opportunities Program

The objectives of this program are to:

• support skills acquisition through the provision of wage subsidies for short term work experience;
• assist First Nations and Inuit secondary and post-secondary students to prepare for future entry into the labour market by facilitating access to summer employment; and
• support First Nations and Inuit students to earn wages for post-secondary financing.

Key Activities

Support work experience opportunities during the summer months for First Nations and lnuit secondary and post-secondary students.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Employers

Those in the private and non-profit* sectors.

Eligible Organizations

First Nations and Inuit governments and organizations may submit proposals.

Eligible Participants

First Nations and Inuit secondary and post-secondary students aged 15-30 ordinarily resident on-reserve or in recognized communities who were registered as full-time students during the preceding academic year and who intend to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year.  

Eligible proposals

Proposals must:

• be in accordance with the program guidelines;
• outline the activities that support any or all of the above objectives;
• demonstrate that the activities will provide assistance only to eligible participants;
• provide an estimate of costs to be incurred, including any share to be borne by partners;
• outline the results to be achieved; and
• be gender-balanced.

NOTE:  Placements must provide a minimum of 80 hours of work.

Summary

The delivery agency will determine the wage rate for participants which must be at or above the applicable provincial/ territorial minimum wage.

Maximum Program Contributions

The non-profit sector is eligible to receive a contribution of up to 100% of the applicable wage plus mandatory employment related costs and the private sector up to 50% of the applicable wage only.

NOTE: Where a participant with disabilities is hired, all employers are eligible to apply for 100% of the wage. A maximum contribution of $3 000 per participant may be available, on an actual cost basis, for special equipment and facilities to accommodate the student's needs.

Program Guidelines

The guidelines, the form and content of the proposal template, and the reporting templates are available from the Web site.

Review and Approval Process

Proposals will be reviewed and approved by the INAC regional office or by the First Nations or Inuit organization managing the program.

Funding Arrangements

Funding will be distributed to eligible organizations according to INAC's funding authorities.

Reporting Requirements

A final report is required by September 15. Organizations who do not submit a final report within 30 days of the above noted date, will not be eligible for funding in the following fiscal year.

*Note: "non-profit" also known as nonprofit organizations, non profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, voluntary organizations and volunteer organizations.

Alberta Contact(s):
Ms. Sandra Giraud
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Room 630
Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4G2
Telephone: (780) 495-2830
Fax: (780) 495-3779
E-mail: GiraudS@inac-ainc.gc.ca