FIRST NATIONS & INUIT
STUDENT SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM
The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND), BC Region, has approved funding for the youth programs for the 2008/2009 fiscal year.
DIAND has confirmed an allocation of $837,399.00 for the 2008/2009 First Nations & Inuit Student Summer Employment Opportunities Program (SSEOP). These funds are now available for distribution.
The First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) and the First Nations Schools Association (FNSA) have agreed to take responsibility for the funding and administration of the program.
1. Program Description
This program is intended to support opportunities for career-related work experience and training to in-school First Nations secondary and post-secondary students aged 15-30 living on-reserve during the summer months.
Please Note: At community consultation workshops that have taken place throughout the past six years, representatives of First Nations communities have noted the importance of ensuring that this program is career focused, and emphasized the fact that summer employment opportunities funded through this program should provide students with meaningful experiences that will help them to determine their career goals and support them in their educational paths.
Accordingly, this year the FNESC and FNSA request that all communities strive to reflect this priority, and ensure that their SSEOP is career oriented and that the job opportunities will assist students in their education and career planning.
2. Program Objectives
The SSEOP objectives are intended to:
· Support skills acquisition through the provision of wage subsidies for short-term work experience;
· Assist First Nations secondary and post-secondary students to prepare for future entry into the labour market by facilitating access to summer employment; and
· Support First Nations students to earn wages for post-secondary financing.
The SSEOP is intended to assist students in preparing for their future entry into the labour market by giving them an opportunity to acquire work experience and job skills. The program provides for wage contributions to create jobs for First Nations students.
3. Eligibility Criteria
For each student participating in this program, a job with a minimum of 80 hours of subsidized employment must be provided.
Funding for this program will be provided to all First Nations Bands through a base plus per capita formula.
4. Eligible Employers
Eligible employers are those in the private and non-profit sectors, including: First Nations governments, organizations and businesses on-reserve or in other recognized First Nations communities, and non-Aboriginal businesses located in First Nations communities and employing First Nations students.
5. Eligible Employees
Eligible employees must be living on-reserve during the summer months. They must also have been registered full-time students during the preceding academic year and they must intend to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year. Students must be legally entitled to work in Canada and cannot have another full-time job during the term of their employment funded through this program.
6. Wage Rates
The delivery agency will determine the wage rate for participants, which must be at or above the applicable provincial/territorial minimum wage.
7. Maximum Program Contributions
The First Nations or eligible partner employer is eligible to receive a contribution of up to 100% of the applicable wage plus mandatory employment related costs (MERC).
Note: Where a participant with disabilities is hired, all employers are eligible to receive 100% of the wage. A maximum contribution of $3,000 per participant may be available, on an actual cost basis, for special equipment and facilities to accommodate the student’s needs.
8. Funding Allocation Process
Letters will be sent to all Bands by Friday, May 23, 2008, indicating the level of funding they are to receive. A Letter of Intent must then be submitted by each Band to FNESC that includes all of the information shown on the attached form.
No other applications to this program will be considered.
Letter of Intent Deadline: Friday, June 13, 2008 by 4:30 p.m. Submit to:
First Nations Education Steering Committee
#113 – 100 Park Royal South, West Vancouver, BC V7T 1A2
Fax: (604) 925 – 6097 or email to
9. Funding Distribution Process
The first installment of funds will be distributed upon receipt and approval of the Letter of Intent. Applicants will receive 75% of their contribution up front, and the remaining 25% upon receipt and approval of a final SSEOP report.
10. Reporting Requirements
The Band will be required to submit a final SSEOP report with participant and financial information, the name of a contact person is also required for follow-up at the completion of the program. Other materials, including pictures, participant/employer stories and program evaluations are also encouraged, and, if submitted, may be published in the Final SSEOP Report to INAC. If photos are provided please also submit a Letter of Permission for FNESC to utilize them in First Nations, provincial and/or federal publications.
Final Report Deadline: Friday, September 5, 2008 by 4:30 p.m. Submit to:
First Nations Education Steering Committee
#113 – 100 Park Royal South, West Vancouver, BC V7T 1A2
Fax: (604) 925 – 6097 or email to