Purchase of Training – Individual Initiatives (POTI)

Introduction

Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong will support training initiatives to unemployed individuals who require training to help them overcome barriers to obtaining employment. Consideration will also be given to employed individuals who are in low-paying jobs and have an opportunity to access gain a higher paying job with additional training. Financial Assistance is available to help pay for course or tuition costs and income support for unemployed individuals.

Objective

To assist individuals who face serious difficulties finding or maintaining employment due to limited training and who need financial assistance to take the training they require to reach their employment goal or maintain employment.

Guidelines

  • Post-secondary Programs that meets post-secondary funding guidelines are generally not eligible for funding under the purchase of training program unless they are within the time frame guidelines of the purchase of training program;
    • Individuals must apply to their First Nation Education Program for funding before applying for funding through Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong.
  • Training may be purchased from private trainers, public or private educational institutions and other community agencies;
  • The training matches the employment goal of the individual client and forms part of an Employment Action Plan. Applicants are responsible for researching and providing job market information and other relevant information specific to the training being requested and employment goal.

Applications for Assistance

  • Individual makes an application for Financial Assistance under the Purchase of Training Program to the local area Program Officer;
  • The individual must complete a self-assessment questionnaire, training application forms and a client consent to release information form. Participation in other assessment processes such as a career assessment may be required to support the application to determine eligibility;
  • Individual is assessed for suitability, readiness and appropriateness of training to the employment goal;
  • Individual must agree to an Employment Action Plan;

Eligible Trainers

Course Purchases can be made from any private trainer, public or private educational institution or any other training agency. The purchase of training contract is made directly with the trainer.

Who is Eligible?

  1. Any member of GCT #3 who is unemployed and;
  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;
  4. Special consideration will be given to persons who consider themselves to have some form of a disability and require special training supports.

Financial Assistance

  1. Training Costs – includes course costs (i.e. tuition, books, supplies)
  2. Training Allowances are $15.00 per hour
  3. Other support costs

Duration

Training can be a minimum of 20 hours and up to a maximum of 35 weeks.

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: