The federal government is making a $675,000 investment with the goal of linking Indigenous people with jobs.
The funding is being provided to the Aboriginal Human Resource Council so that the organization can better track job market information on economic projects located near Canadian Indigenous communities.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt, who was in Saskatoon Thursday for the announcement, says the government wants to connect Indigenous people to job growth areas.
“This council is helping First Nations communities throughout the country to really connect young, and not so young, First Nations members with real jobs out there in those regions,” he says.
Valcourt adds it is vital Indigenous communities have the most up to date job market information so they can provide training in necessary areas.
“In order for the cohort of young workers to decide what they will do in terms of training, in terms of career choice, you need labour market information,” he says.
The Harper government says the investment will help the Aboriginal Human Resource Council provide information on current and future demand for workers in areas such as northern mines and construction sites.
The funding will provide job market information on over 125 major projects across the country located near 500 Aboriginal communities.