Aboriginal People in Manitoba 2000Chapter 4 : Education and Training |
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Labour Market Training
Before the mid-1990s, funding for labour market training and living allowances for trainees was provided for the most part through the federal Human Resources Development department (HRDC) and its predecessors. More recently, however, the federal government has withdrawn from purchase of labour market training, and authorities have been devolved to the Manitoba government and to Aboriginal organizations. HRDC and other federal departments, including Indian Affairs, continue to deliver youth employment initiatives.
In 1997, HRDC signed large umbrella agreements with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Manitoba Metis Federation to administer employment and training funds earmarked for Aboriginal clients. They, in turn, distribute funding to local offices throughout the province. In 1999, HRDC signed a similar agreement with the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resources Development, with funding set aside for Winnipeg Aboriginal clients.
Also in 1997, Canada and Manitoba signed a Labour Market Development Agreement to deliver employment and training initiatives under the 1996 Employment Insurance Act to all Manitobans including Aboriginal people. The following year, Canada and Manitoba signed a Memorandum of Understanding permitting off-reserve Aboriginal people to remain on social assistance while on training.
These agreements fund, among other things, community college and job training projects falling within the category of non-university post-secondary education. Census data to be collected in 2001 will indicate whether and to what extent Aboriginal control of these programs is increasing Aboriginal participation and completion rates. These data will start to become available in 2003.
