Our challenge

• The Aboriginal population is:– the fastest growing

population in Canada;– largely encompassing

youth with an average age of 31;

– experiencing higher unemployment relative to other groups.

Identifying barriers

• Limited economic opportunities on reserves.

• Limited employment opportunities in rural New Brunswick.

• Mobility and transportation issues.

• Overall, lower educational attainment rates.

Addressing barriers

• In economic development, JEDI supports:– entrepreneurship;– community economic

development;– business development.

Addressing barriers

• In workforce development, JEDI supports:– literacy enhancement;– training-for-

employment;– recruitment, retention

and career advancement.

Addressing barriers

• Working closely with partners, JEDI supports: – increasing accessibility

to adult learning programs;

– customizing training to meet the needs of the learners and potential employers;

– addressing labour market needs.

JEDI Economic Development

• Community economic development:– JEDI Aboriginal

Development Fund (JADF);– Economic Development

Officers (EDOs) support.• Entrepreneurship and

business support:– JADF;– Business

Basics/Procurement; Workshops.

JEDI Economic Development

• New Brunswick Community Energy Initiative:– Indian Island Energy.

• Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative:– Business distribution;– Survey;– Workshops;– Potential NB Aboriginal

Business Association.

Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI) - training-to-employment opportunities

• Completed a successful Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP).

• The New Brunswick Aboriginal Information and Communications Technology (NBAICT) Project.

• Potential New Brunswick Aboriginal Mining, Energy and Trades (NBAMET) Project.

• Potential Aboriginal Labour Market Information Centre.

Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI) - recruitment, retention and career advancement

• Work placements through ASEP, SPF and other programs for Aboriginal clients.

• Provincial Aboriginal Employment Coordinator links job-ready clients with employers.

• Professional development and/or other capacity-building opportunities.

Economic Development Results

• During the past year, JEDI has: – provided key support for the

$13 million Grey Rock Power Centre at Madawaska Maliseet First Nation;

– invested $37,500 in Aboriginal businesses;

– assisted 40 Aboriginal entrepreneurs;

– constructed a database of Aboriginal businesses;

– held workshops in 6 communities on a variety of entrepreneurship issues.

Workforce Development Results

• During the past year, JEDI has: – helped 421 new Aboriginal learners

access Community Adult Learning Services programs in New Brunswick ;

– launched Canada’s first Aboriginal Mobile Application Development training course through AWDI;

– welcomed 50 Aboriginal learners into specialized ICT training;

– trained 100 Aboriginal learners for careers in ICT;

– found internships for 21 ICT program students;

– communicated more than 200 employment opportunities to Aboriginal communities and people looking for employment.

Quotes

• “This course has really changed my life. It’s a dream come true,” Katie Lunney, Fredericton New Brunswick Aboriginal Information and Communications Technology (NBAICT) student from Elsipogtog First Nation.

• “Taking the class was a great experience. I learned a lot and gained valuable skills and experience,” Annie Simoneau, Miramichi NBAICT Student from Eel Ground First Nation.

• “JEDI has helped me alot. They helped me find funding and with networking,” Chief Joanna Bernard, Madawaska Maliseet First Nation.

• “Without them, none of this would be possible,” Brad MacMillan, JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund recipient from Eel Ground First Nation.

Woliwon!Wela'lin!

Thank you!Merci!