Aboriginal Employment Resource Committee

About AERC

History of the Aboriginal Employment Resource Committee:

Established from its initial meeting with many Aboriginal Employment Agencies on July 4th, 2002
Reason for establishment: To bring unity amongst the Aboriginal Employment Agencies; To share resources and information; To address issues and concerns
Purpose: To enhance services in Employment & Training for Aboriginal clients

Mission

The Aboriginal Employment Resource Committee works collectively to ensure Aboriginal people gain meaningful employment, education and training opportunities to enhance and promote an Aboriginal workforce through a unified and collaborative effort utilizing community resources.

Goals

To promote and establish unity among the Aboriginal employment agencies in Thunder Bay.
To assist member’s organizations with the improvement and promotion of programs and services.
To identify and close those gaps in services which hinder aboriginal people from seeking employment, training and/or education.
To maximize our resources to meet Aboriginal employment training needs.
To identify new employment opportunities and improve employment prospects for Aboriginal people.
To encourage employers in recruiting Aboriginals.
To develop AERC’s financial resources.

AERC Members

Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre
YES Employment Services
The Métis Nation of Ontario
Anishinabke Employment and Training Services
Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek
National Centre for First Nations Governance
Ontario Native Women's Association
Matawa Employment & Training
Fort William First Nation
Lakehead Public School Board
Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board
City of Thunder Bay
Canada Safeway

Background

AERC conducts monthly meetings as a means to share information and bring forth issues and concerns
Purpose: To assist each agency in achieving its goals
AERC uses a team approach e.g. participate in events collectively; develop a strategic plan; strengthen each agency’s services; organize group training; conduct workshops

Services Provided

Each agency provides similar Employment and Training interventions such as:

Employment soft services
Training purchases
Targeted wage subsidies through On-The-Job Training, Youth Internships, Skills Enhancement etc.
Entrepreneurship program
Employment support
Economic Development eg. Job Creation
Although each agency provides similar services, the mandates for each agency is different e.g. client serviced
AERC makes client referrals to the appropriate employment and training agency

Future Vision

AERC wishes to continue collaborating and working together in achieving our goals by sharing each other’s strengths and experiences, providing a supportive environment and through enhanced and/or developed partnerships with First Nation Organizations, public and private sectors companies.

Sharon Smith-Baxter – AERC Chair

1116 Waterford Street

Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5R1

Phone (807) 624-1881

Fax (807) 622-5649

Carolyn Chukra – AERC Co-Chair

125 S. Lillie Street

Thunder Bay, ON P7E 2A3

Phone(807)625-5215

Fax (807)625-5460