GDI T&E Policy Changes
Gabriel Dumont Institute Training and Employment (GDIT&E) recently conducted a review of program policies and procedures. The review was initiated to ensure that GDIT&E programs align with the new federal funding agreement, the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) under which GDIT&E delivers its programs and services.
ASETS is the federal government's successor strategy to the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy (AHRDS) and is designed to help improve the employment opportunities of Aboriginal peoples ensuring that First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people are engaged in sustainable, meaningful employment in a relationship of mutual trust, respect and openness.
The changes to GDIT&E policy were also reviewed to tackle another concern: funds are being exhausted very early in each fiscal year. Repeatedly over the last several years, there has been a gap of eight to nine months that GDIT&E does not have sufficient financial resources to assist clients pursuing post secondary training.
Several changes to the Individual Sponsorship Program (ISP) are as follows: Cosmetology, Esthetics and Hairstyling: GDIT&E is limiting investment in clients pursuing esthetician, cosmetology and hairstyling training to $100,000 per fiscal year.
University degree programs: GDIT&E is limiting university funding. Only the last year of study of university degree is eligible. Only tuition and books funding is available. For single parents or clients with a disability in the last year of a degree program, GDIT&E may provide extra funding for eligible costs.
Postgraduate degree and professional programs: Post degree/professional university programs including but not limited to Law, Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy,and Optometry are not eligible for funding. Tuition maximum: GDIT&E will pay a maximum of $10,000 in tuition costs per year of study.
Employment transition: Clients who successfully complete their program maybe eligible to receive a one time employment transition allowance of $200.
GDIT&E has also introduced a new program, Immediate Employment Assistance. This program will be piloted out of the Saskatoon and Ilea-la Crosse service delivery offices. The Immediate Employment Assistance program aims to assist Métis clients who have an offer of employment but require assistance to start their job.
All changes were effective upon GDI Board of Governors approval on November 9th, 2011. Throughout the month of December, GDIT&E staff developed a communications strategy to notify clients and other stakeholders about the policy changes.
If you have questions or would like additional information about these policy revisions, please contact your local Training & Employment office or by calling toll free 1.877.488.6888.