Aboriginal Essential Skills Guiding Team (AESGT) Group

Transcription

1 Aboriginal Essential Skills Guiding Team (AESGT) Group Essential Skill Program or Initiative Elements Description 1. Title of Initiative Aboriginal Essential Skills Guiding Team (AESGT) Group 2. Delivery Organization (Name) The guiding team is a volunteer network of Aboriginal Sector Not for Profit First Nations, Métis, Inuit Business Other (specify)(volunteer network) organizations for the purpose of ongoing information sharing and joint work to support a broader understanding of Essential Skills and its potential to raise Aboriginal Peoples skill levels. 3. Contact Details Colleen Yamamoto Project Coordinator essentialskills.guidingteam@gmail.com 4. Website or Other Information Source 5. Funder(s) None- In kind contribution from members Amount of funding N/A 6. Other Partners involved Partner name Role Responsibilities Aboriginal Labour Force Alliance (ALFA) - Norma Claggett Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society ACCESS - Cori Thunderchild Cariboo-Chilcotin Aboriginal Training Employment Centre (CCATEC) - Deidri Jack Coast Salish Employment and Training Society (CSETS) - Leslie Kitson Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) - Cindy Hannah University of Northern BC Bachelor of Education Department Terrace BC - Teresa Bartel First Nations Employment Society (FNES) - Brandon Stiles Senior Development Officer Aboriginal Programs Service Canada - Francesca de Bastiani In-kind contribution of time and human resources: information sharing (models, materials, resources, best practices), increase capacity to deliver quality Essential Skills (ES) programming; increase awareness related to ES; advise, consult and provide feedback on specific ES projects; fundraise as appropriate; develop and distribute ES tools and materials; provide support and guidance,etc. First Nations, Inuit and Métis Essential Skills Applications Inventory 1

2 Essential Skill Program or Initiative Elements Description Nuu-chah-nulth Employment and Training Program (NETP)- Jan Green Okanagan Kootenay Okanagan Training and Development Council (OTDC)- Coreen Bernier Prince George Nechako Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association (PGNAETA)- William Phang Guiding Team Project Coordinator - Colleen Yamamoto Shuswap Nation Tribal Council (SNTC)- Linda Fritz/Martha Matthew Director - ASETS North - West Coast Vancouver Island North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society (NVIATS)- Bernadette Savoie Interior Salish Employment & Training Society- Georgina Beatty 7. Third Party Contractors involved Name Role Responsibilities N/A 8. Location (Name of city, community, etc.) BC/Yukon Region 9. Location Type Urban Members represent First Nations Rural (and remote) communities as well as rural, remote Fly-in (accessible only by air) and urban based programming. First Nations, Métis, Inuit community Prison Other: Scope of Program National Provincial/territorial Local Special interest group (in-house program) First Nations, Inuit and Métis Essential Skills Applications Inventory 2

3 Essential Skill Program or Initiative Elements Description 10. Target Audience Youth (15-25) Adult Other (specify): (Career Development practitioners, educators, community workers, service providers, etc.) Gender Male Female Other (Specify): Group First Nations First Nations and Métis representation on Inuit AESGT. Métis 11. Participant Eligibility Criteria: N/A 12. Year Program/Initiative Started October Year Program/Initiative Ended Ongoing Why did the program end? 14. Description of Initiative The guiding team is a volunteer network of Aboriginal Overview organizations for ongoing information sharing and joint work to support a broader understanding of Essential Skills and its potential to raise Aboriginal peoples skill levels. The Aboriginal Essential Skills Guiding Team came together in 2006 at a time where there was no funding attached to the delivery of Essential Skills programming. In a sense, this was a good thing as the team came together simply because they have a passion for literacy and learning. The Western Aboriginal Program Unit management at Service Canada at this time saw the benefit of supporting such a group financially to meet to create and explore what a coordinated approach to Essential Skills awareness building within the AHRDA (Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreement) network could look like. The team at large first looked at what kind of network they wanted to be, and invested a concerted amount of time toward this goal. They studied various change theorists work, such as Margaret Wheatley and J.P. Kotter, to establish a solid foundation and purpose for our meetings and subsequent work. We are forever grateful to the Service Canada management for investing in our vision and certainly understand that this support could only be temporary. Now that we have our sea legs so to speak, national support through alternate funding is a natural next step. Topics covered Increase awareness related to ES Provide information regarding best practices, models, materials and resources for the delivery and integration of ES into Aboriginal or mainstream employment and training programming. Duration of program (# of sessions) Began in 2006 First Nations, Inuit and Métis Essential Skills Applications Inventory 3

4 Essential Skill Program or Initiative Elements Description length of each session Group meetings vary from several hours to full day Group presentations and workshops dependent on activity requested (EX: two day workshop and information session for Ontario organizations) 15. Number of times offered per year We meet via conference call 2 to 3 times per year and one time in person each year. Group presents yearly based upon request range up to an average of 3 presentations a year 16. Number of participants per intake N/A 17. Completion rate (%) N/A 18. Which Essential Skills are covered Reading Text (check all that are covered) Document Use Numeracy Writing Oral Communication Working with Others Thinking Skills Computer Use Continuous Learning 19. Main Objectives Spread awareness of the nine Essential Skills within Aboriginal communities both on and off Reserve and for the organizations and employers who work and employ Aboriginal staff Share our best practices provincially, regionally and nationally In an effort to create buy in we want to ensure that we are all speaking in the same language the language of Essential Skills During our very first meetings in 2006, the Guiding Team devised the following principles: To work together to increase our capacity to deliver quality Essential Skills programming within our service areas, and to freely share any models, materials and resources that result from our efforts. Who We Are: We are a group of individuals who work within the Aboriginal Skills, Employment and Training Strategy in partnership with Service Canada and are passionate about literacy and learning. Mandate: To increase over all awareness around the concept of Essential Skills. Vision: To work with all like-minded individuals and organizations who seek to support Essential Skills building for all. First Nations, Inuit and Métis Essential Skills Applications Inventory 4

5 20. Does the program include special emphasis on: (check all that apply) Team supports, develops and distributes culturally appropriate ES- related models, materials, resources and best practices. Team has translated ES into two First Nations languages: Coast Salish and Stó:lō 21. Type of Intervention: (Check more than one if applicable) 22. Type of delivery approach: (check all that apply) Culture Language Tradition Awareness Building Assessment of skills Development of Learning Plan Training or Skill Development Tool Development Other: provide support, guidance and resources to Aboriginal and/or mainstream employment and training programming; increase internal and external capacity to deliver quality Essential Skills programming, specifically in the development of employment training programs targeting indigenous populations and in the development of culturally appropriate ES tools and curriculum. Equipped with a clear vision, the guiding team became motivated to learn more about Essential Skills and develop an underlying desire to share information across the country. The guiding team was the catalyst for creating more interest and excitement about the concept within our circle, and many projects have been realized despite our working off the side of our desk reality. Lecture Seminar, discussion Personal reflection-awareness training Project/Theme Based Skill practice by participants in sessions Skill practice by participants in work place Interview/consultation with stakeholders Other: Internal and external capacity building The Guiding Team have worked hard on creating short-term wins as we know that such activity increases momentum. In the beginning, members were all at various levels of understanding around the concept of Essential Skills. All members committed to increasing their own individual/organizational awareness through training. We have delivered numerous information sessions/webinars to leadership, front line staff and clients in BC, Quebec and Ontario. We have participated in various local, regional and national conferences to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Essential Skills Applications Inventory 5

6 share our experiences, resources, best practices, etc. The team made key contributions to the development of the OLES tool suite, the Essential Skills Needs Assessment (ESNA) that focuses on reading, writing and numeracy. The team works in support of larger projects, but is also committed to supporting local projects, as we know that one size does not fit all. We want to share our challenges so that lessons learned are taken into consideration, thus reducing the time it takes to get initiatives off the ground. Together assisted in the creation, distribution, translation and further development of a series of Essential Skills DVDs that promote awareness. This series is called ESI (Essential Skills Investigation which is a spoof on the popular television series CSI Crime Scene Investigation). This series has gained National acclaim and is used in schools, colleges, training programs and other ES awareness sessions. It is important to note that the first DVD was funded on a shoestring with multiple donations from each AHRDA, Douglas College and the First Nations Human Resources Labour Council (FNHRLC). Since then, larger partners came on board such as the Canadian Automotive Repair Services Sector Council (CARS). Two of the DVDs have now been translated into French. Created DVD -Facilitation guides to accompany ESI 2 and 3. ESI 2 facilitation guide translated into French. Worked with the National Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Deaf Literacy Society in Mississauga to produce ESI 1 and 2 DVDS for deaf stream community. Deaf community created a Facilitation Guide for ESI 1 Our efforts to create an alternate format for the standard Essential Skills introduction workshop offered by Douglas College led to funding from OLES to create a training product called An Aboriginal Essential Skills Journey; Planting the Seeds for Growth which at First Nations, Inuit and Métis Essential Skills Applications Inventory 6

7 present has been piloted in 6 communities in BC (English) and 2 in Quebec (French and English). We now plan to further expand on this project to train trainers across the country so that they have comfort in delivering this free downloadable curriculum. Translated Essential Skills into Coast Salish and Stó:lō 23. Staff/Practitioner Training and Background The Guiding Team is comprised of individuals who have proven expertise and experience in the delivery of employment training programs for indigenous populations. 24. Tools and Resources Used to Implement program (e.g., assessment tools, video tapes of practice, etc.) We have firsthand knowledge of ES, ES training programs, ES tools and training techniques. Members are involved in the development and implementation of ES/employment training programs for indigenous population, as well as in the development of ES curriculum and tools. We know our communities well, are experts so to speak in supporting initiatives related to increasing more awareness and stimulating more focus on creative ideas. We have a good understanding of what is going to work and which approaches are best suited for our people. The Guiding Team has specialized knowledge of the communities we serve, as well as expertise in responding to needs such as skill enhancement and local employment development. The team has a website which provides information on ES initiatives and distributes ES resources. Delivery of webinars using on-line technology. DVD series ESI (Essential Skills Investigation) in presentations Members who work to increase awareness and capacity to deliver quality Essential Skills programming in their service areas locally, provincially and nationally. 25. Difficulties or Barriers encountered Making Change Stick Change will have a better chance of surviving if there is a commitment and willingness to celebrate successes along the way. Already in our region, ASET s (Aboriginal Skills Employment & Training) have come to realize that Essential Skills building works for our clients and employers are starting to get it as well. It is safe to say that our collective efforts have resulted in many individual AHRDAs in BC and Yukon securing funding from other sources to continue their own work. Essential Skills has blossomed over time and everyday there are more tools that have been customized to suit particular needs. We would like to research and collect such gems and create a repository for easy access. Our efforts have led First Nations, Inuit and Métis Essential Skills Applications Inventory 7

8 to individual AHRDAs taking the information and turning it into programming that reaches the client. Staying together will not only make the change stick but also further develop into more and more creative successful initiatives. Counting on continued support is the glue that holds the vision together. It is important to realize and to expect that members of a guiding team will change over time. Already, groups from other provinces have attended meetings and have expressed an interest in aligning themselves with the team. Our initiative needs to be perceived to be worth continued effort and succession planning coupled with further engagement will widen the circle of interaction. Keeping the network strong and focused on its vision will ensure ongoing enthusiasm and a desire to continue the work initiated by the original team. As Essential Skills building is a moving target, it will be important to make appropriate shifts in direction as awareness unfolds. This is where we are presently. It is important to acknowledge that our team is comprised of individuals who truly care about increasing the human potential of the people we serve. We are always looking at initiatives that will result in benefit to clients as a result of our engagement. A sense of moral purpose in ingrained in our work where dedication toward the welfare of one s clients come first. Implementing change is not an easy task. Adopting new ways for embracing the future and making a difference is filled with challenges. ASET agreement holders are already over burdened with the mandate of helping clients find and maintain employment. They are contractually bound to meet targets for job placement with ever decreasing budgets while the costs of doing business continually rise. Adding another dimension such as learning about the concept of Essential Skills without additional resources will likely be met with hesitancy and resistance. Public servants are also over tasked and face increasing administrative duties to support accountability, leaving less time to support new initiatives. Serious time and resource constraints and lack of resources are disincentives for embracing the integration of Essential Skills building into programming. A coordinated approach, led by our Guiding Team will alleviate some of these challenges. In today s labour market, job ready clients are already working. ASET agreement holders are seeing more and more individuals who face significant barriers to succeeding in workplace skills training and securing employment. One of the barriers to employment is the low level of basic Essential Skills. All too often, clients who manage to obtain a position, are left unemployed First Nations, Inuit and Métis Essential Skills Applications Inventory 8

9 shortly thereafter due to lack of basic skills required to sustain employment and/or move into promotions. This fact reinforces the urgency to look at different approaches. Knowledge of Essential Skills and its related assessment tools and curricula could assist many partners to better serve the real needs of our clients who are failing in spite of existing support. 26. Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms. Please provide details on how you assess the following: Achieving general program goals Regular review of mandate and goals at meetings annual strategic planning and goal setting to meet mandate and objectives of AESGT Tracking program adherence by N/A participants Tracking program adherence by Staff Coordinator reports on status of projects and activities to AESGT members. Coordinator creates monthly reports for the AESGT members Coordinator in regular communication with team members Coordinator sends out regular updates and provides information and resources based on team requests Assessing participant skill attainment N/A Assessing participant knowledge N/A acquisition Assessing changes in participant attitudes N/A Program Impact including key results or outcomes Each team member reports their regional progress and projects as related to ES at each meeting Regular review of mandate and goals at meetings annual review and strategic planning and goal setting to meet mandate and objectives of ASEGT Informal tracking of resource distribution such as ESI DVDs Team is still in existence after 7 years 27. Lesson Learned The creative journey of being involved with such brilliant and diverse peers and experts has opened up so many different aspects of learning and understanding of Essential Skills and its applications with Aboriginal learners that I believe our work speaks for itself. In my opinion we have created a team that has the best interests of the learners in the forefront at all times. That all who work with learners and people getting back to or entering the workplace can benefit from an understanding of Essential Skills as well as hands-on experiences around Essential Skills. There is very limited-to-no-funding available to create needed curriculum, train-the-trainers or even have sufficient funding in place for a provincial/territory guiding team to do their work. First Nations, Inuit and Métis Essential Skills Applications Inventory 9

10 28. Reporting (what and to whom) We have regular meetings in which we review our objectives, activities, projects. Coordinator provides on-going updates and monthly reports to team Coordinator consults regularly with AESGT members. Team members report to each other at meetings. First Nations, Inuit and Métis Essential Skills Applications Inventory 10