The Anishinabek Employment and Training Services organization is getting $16,947,730 for ten years to provide training and education services.
AETS will support First Nation communities, and their members develop employment skills and training for higher-quality jobs.
The funding is meant to close the employment, earning and skills gaps between First Nations and non-Indigenous people.
John DeGiacomo is the Executive Director of the Anishinabek Employment and Training Services and tells us this funding gives their organization security.
“Without that long term planning, it prevents us to do planning in a variety of different sectors. We will certainly use that as an opportunity to work in long term scenarios with organizations that need that long term commitment.”
Gull Bay First Nation resident and former AETS student Bele Wigwas feels the program is essential to her.
She says as a result of the training program, she was able to become a personal support worker at St. Joseph’s Care Group.
“They have supported me in a lot of different ways during and after my program including financially with housing, spiritually as well and they gave me the courage to take a step in the right direction.”
AETS is located in the lower level of the Waverley Library.
Labour Minister Patty Hajdu announced the federal funding at the library on Tuesday.
