Employability and employment needs: 5 ways to get involved! 

So far, in this series outlining 5 ways to get involved in economic reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, we have discussed housing needs. But that’s not all: there are also other key areas of economic development where businesses, organizations and political bodies can get involved!  

Economic reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and Quebec also includes employability and employment in various ways such as skills recognition, access to employment, talent retention, employee education, etc. Here is a brief overview of the current situation, followed by 5 ways to get involved. 🧡 

 

 

Current situation at a glance

Currently, more than a quarter of Indigenous workers are between the ages of 15 and 24. This age group represents a real strength for Quebec, but also a group that is particularly vulnerable to the many barriers to employment that have previously been experienced by workers in older age groups. Here are a few examples: 

  • 51% of Indigenous workers say they are in an uncertain professional situation. This precariousness often requires multiple jobs made up of part-time, seasonal, casual or temporary employment.  
  • More than one in five First Nations people are victims of harassment or discrimination in the workplace. 
  • Finding employment is a major challenge, with many people of working age remaining unemployed after unsuccessfully trying to find a job. 

 

Opportunities for non-Indigenous organizations

Several issues are ensuring that the labour shortage will continue over the next decade in Quebec. The population is aging, the number of inhabitants is decreasing, and the digital transition is accelerating. 

Indigenous people are part of the solution to this issue. Did you know that, from 2016 to 2021, the Indigenous population grew faster than the total Quebec population, with an increase of 14.3%? This young workforce is therefore a sustainable force for our economic future. 

Recruiting Indigenous talent is also an opportunity to…  

  • Innovate in practices; 
  • Diversify a team’s skills and knowledge; 
  • Increase a company’s productivity and flexibility; 
  • Diversify business opportunities; 
  • Foster a recruitment ripple effect.  

 

Employability and employment issues – 5 ways to get involved

Here are 5 ways to take action to improve the current situation in terms of employability and employment for Indigenous people in Quebec.   

 

1. Participate in job fairs near or within communities 🎟️  

The lack of information on the job market is one of the barriers to employment for many Indigenous people. Frequent questions include: “where do I look for work?”, “how do I prepare for an interview or produce a cover letter?”, and “what kind of job should I choose?” (FNHRDCQ, 2023). The participation of Quebec organizations in job fairs helps to alleviate these barriers. 

 

2. Recognize the general skills of Indigenous people 👏 

For a large part of the Indigenous population, low levels of education and poor development of professional skills are barriers to employment: the proportion of employed people doubles among those who have finished high school (FNQLHSSC, 2021). These barriers are the result of many factors, including a historical lack of investment in education. For employers, recognizing general skills is a way to reduce these barriers. 

 

3. Offer awareness workshops on Indigenous realities to your employees 🎤 

Discriminatory behaviours, stereotypes, microaggressions and racism in the workplace are major issues affecting the Indigenous workforce in Quebec. Awareness workshops promote the retention of the Indigenous workforce as well as workplace wellness. 

 

4. Implement an effective Indigenous workforce integration strategy ‍💼 

While hiring Indigenous talent is a step towards economic reconciliation, it is equally important to retain that talent. A strategic integration plan can make a difference in terms of employee retention, sense of belonging, dedication and commitment. 

 

5. Implement workplace accomodation measures 💡 

The remoteness factor that a large majority of Indigenous communities face also affects employability. Indeed, compared to large centres, access to certain services is more difficult. Consider, for example, public transportation or training institutions. These are issues that affect both participation and retention in employment. An organization can contribute to economic reconciliation by establishing measures that accommodate Indigenous people affected by these issues, for example by facilitating work-life balance or employee transportation.

 

They commited! 

The company Aluminerie Alouette committed to doubling its number of First Nations employees by 2028. 

The First Peoples Innovation Centre committed to creating positions or offering internships specifically for Indigenous people. It will promote the hiring, integration and retention of Indigenous people, particularly young people and women. 

The company FTQ-Construction has committed to fighting discrimination in hiring and employment.  

The company ROACTION Côte-Nord has committed to adopting a policy for hiring Indigenous resources

Quebec Iron Ore has committed to increasing the integration of Indigenous workers within the company. 

The company Pomerleau has committed to offering four scholarships and internships to First Nations students at four universities or colleges in Quebec. It has also committed to creating an Indigenous Relations Advisor position with the goal of increasing Indigenous participation in its projects. 

 

To join the movement in three steps, click here!  

To ​​learn more about the possible types of commitment, click here!   

 

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