CCAB, federal government join forces to place Aboriginal interns

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Aboriginal youth will get private-sector job experience through a partnership between Human Resources Development Canada and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), announced Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Secretary of State for Training and Youth.

Under the Aboriginal Business Internship Program, 150 Aboriginal youth between the ages of 18 and 24 years will be placed in private-sector positions with a wide range of corporate hosts. Some 30 of these interns will be identified by the Saskatoon Tribal Council to ensure that the initiative is responsible to specific training needs of Aboriginal communities.

"I am delighted with the federal government's support and investment in Aboriginal youth," said George Lafond, CCAB president.

"I am particularly pleased with the partnership we've brokered with the Saskatoon Tribal Council and Tribal Chief Jose Quewezance. I want to see this spirit of partnership extended by actively working with the private sector to match Aboriginal interns with quality placements."

As well as placing interns in the private sector, the CCAB initiative will provide incentives for Aboriginal students to complete their education and aid in reducing drop-out rates.

The placements are designed to expose Aboriginal students to new work entrainments, and a range of practical skills.

The CCAB hopes to encourage Aboriginal youth to both explore the full range

of private-sector career options and to acquire new skills which can be brought back to Aboriginal businesses and communities.

"Aboriginal young people have tremendous ability. Combine that ability with education and job experience and you can have young people who can take control of their careers and their lives," said Blondin-Andrew.

"Government cannot assume sole responsibility for inspiring youth and helping them get job skills. Business has a role to play as well."

Human Resources Development Canada will provide $1.4 million to the CCAB through the federal Youth Internship Program. The program targets the 60 per cent of high school graduates who do not pursue further reeducation or training and creates pathways to help them make the change from school to work.

"Aboriginal youth need to see a future with real career opportunities. That will not happen unless we take the lead in partnerships with government, business and the Aboriginal community," said Lafond.

The council has placed more than 500 Aboriginal interns in corporate training positions in the past eight years. Last year alone, more than 400 Aboriginal youth sought assistance in finding positions in the private sector from the CCAB. The council is a non-profit, national organizations that brings Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal business people together through business education, training and employment opportunities.