NationTalk: Today, together with their program partners, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) announced the third iteration of the Indigenous Career Pivot Program (ICPP). ICPP 3.0 builds on the momentum and engagement achieved through the first two program instalments to facilitate and deliver meaningful work placements for up to 27 mid-career Indigenous people wishing to explore new career options in Canada’s ocean economy.
Led by Workforce Warriors, with project partners Clear Seas and the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), the program represents a total investment of more than $3.6 million, of which $2.6 is funded by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster.
Spanning a three-year period, ICPP 3.0 will offer continuous intake for Indigenous participants to enter ocean sector jobs and will engage with OSC member organizations to identify and support employment opportunities for Indigenous job seekers. The goal of ICPP 3.0 is to offer multi- layered supports to both Indigenous participants and to employers to provide exceptional work placement programming and ultimately increase the participation of Indigenous peoples in Canada’s ocean economy.
OSC member organizations will be engaged and will receive support and training while creating the space for Indigenous talent to grow and thrive within the ocean sector. This includes opportunities for both participants and employers to take part in career mentoring support, a peer network for Indigenous participants, and cultural awareness training provided to employers.
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster recognizes that Indigenous peoples are natural collaborators in the ocean sector because of their lived experiences in coastal environments and their historic, cultural, and spiritual connection to the waters. With this understanding, the OSC is working to build mutually beneficial relationships with First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities to sustainably address ocean challenges and create opportunities.
To learn more about the program and how to get involved as an employer or participant, visit: Empowering Indigenous Careers | Workforce Warriors
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 100 projects which will deliver more than 300 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca
About Workforce Warriors
Workforce Warriors Inc. is a National Indigenous non-profit organization established to increase capacity, wellness, resilience, leadership, and sustainable careers for Indigenous peoples. Workforce Warriors uses a holistic approach to curate unique programming to fit specific needs – always with the goal to provide meaningful opportunities and creating space and place for Indigenous peoples to participate in the Canadian economy while maintaining Indigenous culture, language, family and community structures.
Workforce Warriors also endeavors to fulfill the needs of Canadian industry and society at large, by providing sustainable solutions through innovative Indigenous-led projects. Workforce Warriors believes such Indigenous solutions – connecting Indigenous talent to valued and sustainable solutions – will help bridge the gap between Indigenous and mainstream mindsets, allowing Canadians to better understand the ongoing and valued contribution of Indigenous Peoples.
Quotes
“Our government is pleased to support the Ocean Cluster as it works to build this connected community of practice. The project is helping increase diversity within the ocean economy while addressing the under-representation of Indigenous people in the sector’s workforce.” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“Canada’s ocean sector is an important driver of our economy, where new companies are forming and growing, and where the demand for a well-skilled, diverse workforce is critical to the sustainable development and the future of our ocean. Through our first two iterations of this program, we have helped create pathways to ocean careers for Indigenous workers wishing to pivot into the sector, and, today, most participants have continued their work in the ocean economy since having completed their placement. We look forward to building on this important program through ICPP 3.0 in collaboration with our partners and member organizations.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“The ICPP 3.0 Program has the ability to propel Industry forward – a new way of working with Indigenous Peoples by creating Indigenized spaces and opportunities within the blue economy for Indigenous peoples, stewards of the lands and waters, to make valuable contributions. Working together, Canada’s blue economy will grow and prosper with the inclusion of Indigenous talent – this is a strong step toward Reconciliation.” – Assembly of First Nation (Retired) Regional Chief for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, Keptin Roger Augustine, President of Workforce Warriors Inc.
“We believe that our partnerships with Workforce Warriors and Canada’s Ocean Supercluster are essential for creating opportunities for Indigenous Peoples within the marine industry. We are excited to anticipate a significant increase in Indigenous representation at all career levels in this sector over the coming years.” – Sarah Thomas, Director of Indigenous Programs, Clear Seas