Jun 21 2018

ONTARIO June 21, 2018 – Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, a day for all Canadians to identify and celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures, and achievements of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.

Throughout the year, Skills Ontario and its partners facilitate First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) focused events at locations across Ontario to bring hands-on learning and mentorship together. In an effort to encourage Indigenous youth to consider the pathways in the skilled trades and technologies, Skills Ontario organizes FNMI Career Awareness Workshops, FNMI-focused Mentoring Events, FNMI-focused Summer Camps, and Trades & Tech Days.

“In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Skills Ontario is pleased to continue to present opportunities for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth to explore the many rewarding pathways in the skilled trades and technologies,” says Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario. “It is important to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Indigenous peoples, as well as to spread the message to Indigenous youth that the skilled trade and technology sectors offer rewarding and fulfilling careers.”

This July 19^th and 20^th, Skills Ontario is holding an FMNI-focused Summer Camp for Indigenous youth in grades 7 to 9 at the Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute in M'Chigeeng First Nation. Furthermore, half of the student placements at the Co-Ed Summer Camp at Sault College in Sault Ste. Marie from July 30^th to August 3^rd, where FNMI-focused programming will be part of the agenda, are sponsored by the North Shore Tribal Council. Additionally, the FNMI Student Conference held at the Skills Ontario Competition every May is a community gathering that aims to give Indigenous students the opportunity to be inspired by mentors who have already chosen a career path in the skilled trades and technologies.

Skills Ontario’s First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives engage industry and college partners, small businesses, school boards, and students to connect education, experience, and employment. Skills Ontario offers FNMI programs to affiliated schools, Friendship Centres, and Band Offices.

About Skills Ontario

Skills Ontario is building Ontario’s skilled trades and technologies workforce. We enable and empower all youth, including women and Indigenous youth, to consider a career in the skilled trades and technologies. Engagement with students, teachers, parents, volunteers, employers and mentors ensure our programs connect education, experience, and employment. We deliver in-school presentations across Ontario, host Canada’s largest skills competition, run summer camps for skills development and connect students to employers. We are focused on growth sectors such as construction and infrastructure, technology innovation, and hospitality services.