Purchase of Training – Community Initiatives (POTC)

Introduction

Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong supports community-based training initiatives that allow First Nations and Aboriginal organizations to access or provide training programs through existing training delivery agencies. Financial assistance is available to cover training related costs such as course or tuition costs and income support for participants.

Objective

To provide communities with an opportunity to purchase a training program or course that will assist in training community members to attain basic or specialized skills leading to permanent and/or long-term employment.

Guidelines

  • Training must be for 3 or more unemployed individuals;
  • Training must be an identified need by the community and supported with a BCR/Board Resolution;
  • Training is primarily delivered in a non-production setting such as a classroom, or in a setting where production resulting from the training is totally incidental, however, up to 25% of the total training plan can be on the job;
  • The use of Aboriginal trainers/training agencies is encouraged.

Applications for Assistance

As a minimum, applications for assistance will include:

  • A signed application with a covering letter that summarizes training activity, goals, occupation(s) to be trained for and expected results;
  • A supporting B.C.R. or Board Resolution;
  • Supporting documentation that supports the training need and describes how the training will meet employment prospects;
  • A detailed training plan that outlines training topics, schedule, duration of training, methodology and evaluation methods;
  • Targeted clientele including number of participants to be trained, prerequisites and recruitment strategy;
  • Identification of trainer, related background experience including qualifications;
  • A budget detailing proposed costs;

Additional information may be requested as required to support the application.

Who Can Apply?

Any training delivery agency supported by a GCT #3 First Nation BCR or a Community/Organization Board Resolution. In most cases, the training delivery agreement will be made directly with the training delivery agency.

Eligible Participants

  1. Any member of GCT #3 who is unemployed and is a member of a First Nation community listed under the ISET (Indigenous Skills and Employment Training) agreement.
  2. Is a resident in a First Nation or lives off-reserve in an urban or rural community within GCT#3 territory;
  3. Is at least 17 years of age and must be out of school for at least one year.

Budget

Approvals are subject to the budget allocated to each program.

Eligible Funding Assistance

Financial assistance is available to cover training and overhead costs based on established rates per category. The categories are as follows:

  1. Income Support

Participants in training projects may be eligible to receive income support up to a maximum of $15.00 per training hour. Additionally, participants are entitled to receive special supplementary allowances while on the training program as determined by need by Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong. Income support allowances are administered directly by Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong and paid directly to participants in accordance to an established pay schedule. Allowances are considered non-insurable.

  1. Overhead Costs

Training Institutions are eligible to receive a maximum of $200 per week to cover administrative costs associated with the training. Aboriginal controlled training institutes may be eligible for a maximum of $300 per week. Administrative costs are defined as actual costs associated with providing the training (i.e. administrative/book-keeping services, permits/fees, bank charges, audit fees, liability insurance, heating/utilities, telephone & postage).

  1. Training Costs

Training costs do not normally exceed $15.00 per participant training hour. Eligible training costs are based on a prevailing per diem rates for the type of training being offered. Eligible costs include: Salaries of instructors or training coordinators, purchase of textbooks and other related instructional materials, rental of training premises, instructors travel and living expenses, leasing of equipment and the purchase of any specialized training equipment with a price less than $250 per item.

  1. Special Costs

Special costs are eligible to accommodate a participant who has a disability up to a maximum of $10,000. The amount is applied to a special program fund designated for persons with disabilities.

Duration

Training projects can be a minimum of 30 hours and up to a maximum of 35 weeks subject to fiscal year deadlines. Generally, training projects have to end training activity by the end of March 31st unless otherwise determined.

For further information or to obtain an application package, contact a Program Officer in your area or contact our main office:

Head Office: P.O. Box 2909, Kenora, Ontario, P9N 3X8

1-800-545-5113 (phone), 807-468-1813 (fax)

Program Officers: