Workforce connex - Aboriginal Human Resource Council

• No training or employment within the community toenable people to stay in the community.••••••••Insufficient funds to obtain training.Missing skills (i.e., interview and resume writing skills).Low literacy.Lacking skill set for positions (people applying for jobs).Need career supports and mentors.Need internships.Conduct career camps and workshops.Go to school.Cultural Differences••••There is a lack of cultural awareness.Need support from First Nations communities to pursue opportunities.There is a lack of information on workforce culture.Culture shock.Specific Challenges Faced by Individuals••••••••Lack of affordable housing.Need access to family and social supports.Lack of access to child and daycare services.Language barriers.Need work clothes.No driver’s license.Isolation from family.There is a lack of basic resources.• No or insufficient work history -- need to findopportunities to develop a work history.••••••••Seeking a comfort zone in the workplace.Fear of failure.Lack of selling self in the interview.Finances.Work references, experience and volunteer programs.Some people have experience but not the education.Need role models.Fear of the unknown - only brown eyes in a blue eyed department.Racism and Stereotypes•People have stereotypes (negative and positive).Institutional and bureaucratic barriers•Lack of supports in the workplace.• Lack of flexibility in the workplace regarding familycommitments – ability to achieve balance.• Interview and hiring process - need to sensitizeAboriginal people regarding process.• System is becoming reliant on technology – no ‘personalizedopportunities’ (i.e., data profiles don’t address ‘experience’).• Employers’ job requirements: are they too high? Do theyfairly represent the skills required to do the job?••••••Hiring – nepotism and practices.Mostly entry level jobs tend to be low level in seniority and wages.Lack of career mobility.Housing shortage.Need to deal with transportation barriers.No infrastructure to support an increase in hiring (i.e., housing).• Companies expect you to come in with the trainingneeded and that is not necessarily so.•Need to offer special days off as an extra benefit.Communication and Awareness• There is a lack of information on job opportunities awarenessregarding jobs available and job awareness.•••••••Not in the know of what exists. What jobs are out there?Not connected – don’t know employers.Do not know where support and resources are located.Do not have access to job postings.Not able to provide and pass on information.No information sessions for potential employees.Need to inform the community.Other Challenges and Barriers••••••Technology – lack of access and knowledge.Low-level socio and economic development.Cost of living.Many people have never left the reserve.Lack of Aboriginal mentors or Aboriginal connections.Risk taking (i.e., leaving the community, family).• Lack of support from the community, family, friends.Aboriginal Human Resource Council Manitoba Workforce Connex Report 9