Aboriginal Workforce Initiative

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Doing Business On-Reserve

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Treaty 7 Management Corporation and Treaty 7 Community Futures, hosted a half-day Doing Business On-Reserve Conference on Oct. 15, 2010.

The event showcased the investment opportunities and economic profiles of Treaty 7 First Nations along with presentations about cultural awareness and legal practices of doing business on-reserve. It was attended by approximately 100 attendees representing a wide range of industries including oil and gas, electricity, financial management, hospitality, marketing, and building trades.

Presentation resources are now available, click here

Aboriginal Awareness Training Workshops
Now available - visit the Chamber events page to learn more and register.

Workshop flyer

Hear Ben Brunnen, Director of Policy and Research and Chief Economist, discuss the Aboriginal awareness training sessions on the Northern Native Broadcasting Network

The Opportunity

The Government of Alberta estimates a shortfall of 77,000 workers in the next 10 years. Calgary Chamber members have identified labour shortages as the number one priority impacting their businesses. Seizing these employment opportunities will require increased participation from untapped sources of talent.

The Aboriginal population is the largest untapped labour force in Alberta, and is younger than the non-Aboriginal population. In 2006, Aboriginal employment rates were 10.6 per cent below those of the population at large. At parity, this translates into an additional 14,000 workers for the provincial economy.

The Challenge

Much of the Aboriginal/ non-Aboriginal labour market disparity can be linked to education. In 2006, approximately 44 per cent of Aboriginal people in Alberta possessed less than a high school diploma, compared to 22 per cent of non-Aboriginal people. Western Canadians, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike, who possess less than a high school diploma are the least likely to participate in the labour force, and those who do participate are also the most likely to be unemployed.

Poor Aboriginal education and labour market outcomes can be attributed to a number of factors, including: cultural differences such as differential learning/ working styles, patterns of interaction and cultural values; social challenges such as a high incidence of addiction, poverty and poor health; and a lack of cultural awareness among both mainstream businesses and Aboriginal people. These factors contribute to the need for a holistic assessment and support approach to Aboriginal education, hiring and retention.

While some large businesses have successfully developed holistic Aboriginal employment and retention strategies, many small and medium organizations are unable to do so, as they often lack the expertise, networks and capacity to provide and/or connect with service delivery, training and/or referral agencies to develop the approach needed to implement successful Aboriginal workforce strategies. Moreover, current assessment, treatment, training and/or referral program capacity may be insufficient to meet the needs of Aboriginal people and entrepreneurs seeking to fully participate in the labour force.

The Project

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce is seeking to undertake research and present recommendations regarding programming to improve the economic and labour market outcomes of Aboriginal people and entrepreneurs both within, and transitioning to, the Calgary region, with a focus on the current and emerging workforce - Aboriginal youth. The project, conducted in conjunction with the Chamber's Aboriginal Opportunities Committee, will feature three phases.

Phase 1 - Research Report
(Initiated in Fall 2008 and completed in March 2009)

The first phase will involve a review of relevant literature, programs and services, and an investigation into both successful business practices and programs and perceived or real obstacles to engagement, including in-depth interviews and focus groups with a range of individuals and businesses. This phase will result in a research report that identifies gaps, and a set of concrete recommendations for program and policy improvement within the Calgary region.

Key Findings of the Research Report: Completing the Circle
Presentation Slides
News Release
Research Report - Completing the Circle

Phase 2 - Aboriginal Workforce Strategies Symposium
(March 2009)

A second phase of the project involves hosting a one and a half day Aboriginal Workforce Strategies Symposium to bring together key stakeholders representing businesses, the Aboriginal community, service providers, decision-makers and other stakeholders to showcase the research findings, share best practices, facilitate discussion, raise awareness of key issues and mobilize action for change.

Symposium Resource Website

Phase 3 - Implementation
(Initiated in Fall/ Winter of 2009)

The third phase of the project involves working with the Aboriginal community of stakeholders to develop and deliver programming to implement the research findings and improve Aboriginal labour market outcomes in the Calgary region.

Building upon the recommendations of the Chamber's research report entitled Completing the Circle, the Chamber is undertaking the following efforts as part of phase three of its Aboriginal workforce Initiative:

• Delivering professional Aboriginal awareness training to businesses interested in hiring and retaining Aboriginal employees and working with Aboriginal communities;
• Facilitating economic partnerships between businesses and Treaty 7 First Nations through hosted events; and
• Working with service providers to deliver pre-employment training to prospective Aboriginal employees, and linking employment candidates to prospective employers.

Doing Business On-Reserve Conference presentation materials

Additional Information

For more information please contact Ben Brunnen, Director of Policy and Research and Chief Economist Calgary Chamber of Commerce via email or telephone at (403) 750-0442.

What's New

New Resource: October 15, 2010
Doing Business On-Reserve Conference presentation materials

Article: April 29, 2010
Aboriginal awareness training helps businesses seize opportunities

Article: March 25, 2010
Aboriginal Opportunities Committee connects business community with the largest untapped source of talent 

Radio: February 26, 2010
Hear Ben Brunnen, Manager of Policy & Research, discuss the Aboriginal awareness training sessions on the Northern Native Broadcasting Network

News Release: February 18, 2010
Calgary Chamber of Commerce partners to provide Aboriginal awareness training

Article: November 12, 2009
Chamber Aboriginal Workforce Initiative reaches 'action stage'

Update: October 2009
Research to Action - Improving Aboriginal Labour Market
Outcomes in the Calgary Region

Op-ed: October 11, 2009
Employment trends meet talent crunch

Article: October 2, 2009
Chamber increases impact of Aboriginal research and policy

Op-ed: July 16, 2009
Poverty cycle must be broken

New Resource: June 23, 2009
Access the Aboriginal Workforce Symposium Resource Website

Article: April 7, 2009
Aboriginal Workforce Symposium links business to largest source of untapped talent

News Release: March 26, 2009
Calgary Chamber of Commerce releases major research report connecting local business with the largest untapped labour force in Alberta

Publication: March 26, 2009
Completing the Circle: Realities, Challenges and Strategies to Improve Aboriginal Labour Market Outcomes in theCalgary Region

Aboriginal Workforce Symposium: Engaging the Next Wave of Talent
Business and First Nations leaders, government officials and Aboriginal service providers gathered at a Calgary Chamber of Commerce Symposium on March 25 and 26 to discuss how to improve labour market outcomes of Aboriginal people and fulfill businesses' need for a local and reliable workforce.

A major research report released by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce at the Symposium found that increasing Aboriginal employment rates to levels similar to the non-Aboriginal population may provide 14,000 additional workers to the provincial economy.

Symposium Agenda
Symposium Resource Website

May 13, 2008
Letter from the Minister of Indian Affairs & Northern Development