On December 5, 2003, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and
the Metis Employment and Training of Saskatchewan Inc. (METSI) announced
a new collaborative approach to employment and enterprise development.
This new approach is based on recognizing and developing many roundtables
that are linked to a common agenda, that is, furthering the opportunity
for employment for First Nations and Metis people. The process will
be to establish partnerships via roundtables involving community agencies
and employers. The common agenda is encompassed by the original mandate/vision
of the Corporate Circle to focus on:
• Entry level employment opportunities
• Mid to high level employment opportunities
• Training opportunities for employees new to the workforce
• Training opportunities for employees with experience in other sectors
or parts of the work force
• Investment opportunities in existing businesses
• Investment opportunities, with a partner, in new businesses
• Opportunities for aboriginal business to become suppliers to new and
existing companies.
The optimal realization of this mandate/vision is conceived to be
by way of practical roundtables that allow corporations and First Nations
and Metis interests to focus on targeted actions. These actions will
vary from table to table but will be based on realistic expectations.
The promise of success for a new approach is based on the direct involvement
of the two organizations that manage Aboriginal Human Resource Development
Agreements (AHRDAs) with Human Resources Development Canada. These
agreements will be extended for another five years as announced by
the Secretary of State, Ethel Blondin-Andrew on December 2, 2003.
The AHRDAs represent networks of employment and training services
that reach into every Metis and First Nation community in Saskatchewan.
The various coordinators and counsellors that deal with aspiring clients
on a daily basis will be mobilized to join, to establish, and to lead
as many roundtables as are relevant to their work.
Some existing processes and projects such as the Saskatoon Construction
Careers project and the Employers Circle project are obvious examples
of successful circles that are focussed and making a difference. These
types of approaches need to be developed in other places and for other
types of needs.
In order to encourage a province-wide scope for the Corporate Circles
of Saskatchewan, all leaders in Saskatchewan are invited to sponsor
involvement into a new design.
Here are some types of roundtables that appear promising:
Executive Circle: Undoubtedly, an executive
circle, comprised of Saskatchewan leaders, will provide an environment
to celebrate success and thereby reinforce the value of creating results
through multi-agency relationships.
Opportunities Circles: Matching workers
with opportunities will be the focus of the opportunities circles.
These circles should be based on a natural fit whether it is type of
work or geography.
Employers Circles: Educating each other
as to historical influences, current challenges and external forces
is a sound strategy to create meaningful team approaches to meeting
employment objectives.
Strategy Circles: Moving beyond need into
purposeful action can be optimized by acting on advice, by adopting
existing approaches, or by working together in a strategic fashion.
Career Awareness Circles: Reaching out into
classrooms and agencies to encourage, motivate and inform individuals
of choices and potentials is a tested and true approach.
Organizations interested in participating in making the Corporate Circles of
Saskatchewan into a productive strategy are invited to contact the appropriate
representatives. Contact Us