Aboriginal and Corporate Resourcing

Aboriginal Skills Development Program
Federal Student Work Experience Program

INTRODUCTION

Since 1994, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) has been committed to the 50 percent Aboriginal Hiring Strategy as announced by then Honorable Minister, Ron Irwin. This commitment reinforces INAC's mandate to achieve a workforce that is culturally sensitive and representative of its Aboriginal/Inuit partners while supporting the continued focus on strengthening self-governance within First Nations. Participation of Aboriginal students through the Aboriginal Skills Development Program - Federal Student Work Experience Program (ASDP) will broaden their opportunities across the federal Public Service not only as students, but also for indeterminate employment upon completion of school and/or provide them with skills and experience that they may choose to take to an Aboriginal government. At the same time, participation by INAC managers through ASDP increases the pool of Aboriginal candidates not only for student employment, but in future through bridging programs. This provides INAC with the opportunity to participate in a manner that will have a positive effect on the representation of Aboriginal peoples not only in this department, but across the federal Public Service while providing an opportunity for Aboriginal youth to gain valuable skills and experience.

BACKGROUND

INAC has had a dedicated Aboriginal Student Program since 1986. Most recently Aboriginal Employment Program - Student Program (AEP-SP) has been in place and included hourly rates for students in accordance with classified positions. As a result there were a number of administrative difficulties in managing the AEP-SP including the changes that took place to the classification in 2002 and required the assignment of a new group for AEP 01 through 03 as well as preparing and distributing instructions to all of Human Resources and Pay regarding these changes. AEP-SP also created three classes of students within INAC including (AEP-SP less than three months, AEP-SP more than three months and FSWEP). This created confusion between students and managers and resulted in different compensation packages for each student despite level of education which also resulted in an enormous amount of work for Human Resources. In respect to employment opportunities and career prospects, AEP-SP students could not benefit from other PSC student programs.

OVERVIEW

ASDP will ensure that INAC managers have access to a large pool of Aboriginal students interested in joining the department for summer and/or part-time employment throughout the year. INAC is committed to providing work experience which will provide students with an overview of the department and its mandate, the opportunity to develop skills and abilities for future employment in a chosen field, exposure to decision making processes affecting First Nations and Northerners and to consider INAC as the employer of choice following graduation. When establishing hours of work for part-time students, managers should ensure the total hours per week do not interfere with the student's academic efforts.

The ASDP inventory is accessible to students and hiring managers year-round. Students can work full-time or part-time during a non-academic term (e.g., summer) or part-time during an academic term.

ASDP is a national program which provides students with opportunities to learn about the federal government and gain valuable experience while developing and improving their employability skills.

As the employer, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) establishes policies, rates of pay and terms and conditions of employment for students

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of ASDP-FSWEP is to provide employment opportunities within INAC to Aboriginal students. Students hired through ASDP gain valuable work experience and/or training and skills; an opportunity to experience working for INAC; and the opportunity to assess their interest in a career within the department or elsewhere in the federal Public Service. In addition, ASDP provides post secondary students with the opportunity to maintain part-time employment throughout the school year and bridging mechanisms to facilitate indeterminate entry into the federal Public Service upon completion of studies. In addition Aboriginal students who apply to ASDP will automatically be included in the larger FSWEP inventory and may be considered for employment in other federal government departments thus improving their opportunity to secure employment in the federal Public Service.

ELIGIBILITY

This program is open to Canadian Aboriginal (Status, Non-Status, Metis and Inuit) students who:

• are full-time students and registered for full-time studies in the next academic term;
• complete the Aboriginal Declaration Process (ADP) including the Aboriginal Declaration Form (ADF), Aboriginal Declaration Acknowledgment (ADA) and submit documentation substantiating the information contained on the ADF. Only those applicants who submit the ADP forms will be considered for employment in INAC through this program.

Students who are continuing their post secondary education on a full-time basis are eligible to work at INAC on a part-time basis throughout the year.

ABORIGINAL DECLARATION PROCESS

All applicants and potential appointees through ASDP are subject to ADP. Documentation substantiating the ADF will be required prior to appointment. Any students who did not complete the ADF and ADA will be removed from the ASDP inventory. They would however remain in the PSC's FSWEP inventory. Upon application to ASDP on the Public Service Commission's (PSC) website students will be directed to the ADF and ADA through a hyperlink to INAC's website where they can view the forms and if they choose complete and forward to the appropriate INAC regional office. Students will be required to complete the ADF, ADA and submit substantiating documentation prior to appointment. This may take place at, or prior to the interview. These forms and substantiating documentation will be held in Human Resources as part of the staffing file.

APPLICATION

All Aboriginal students who wish to be considered for this program must complete an application to FSWEP www.jobs.gc.ca. When completing the application, students must indicate their interest in INAC's departmental program under Section E - Departmental Programs by scrolling down to the Aboriginal Skills Development Program - 027 and left clicking.

In the past, Aboriginal students seeking employment within INAC have applied manually using an application form, a resume or both. This year, and in subsequent years, students will be required to register with ASDP through the PSC FSWEP web site. The only way to register is on-line. To facilitate the inclusion of all Aboriginal students who wish to be considered for employment within INAC, including those returning from last year, each regional INAC office will ensure that those who apply directly to the department are directed to complete an application through ASDP. INAC regional offices will also provide access to a computer, where students are unable to apply from another station. The application process is very efficient and should take no more than ten or fifteen minutes.

PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT

Appointments to ASDP can be made throughout the year on a full-time or part-time basis.

Contacts