Finding funded pathways from training to employment is one of the most practical moves a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit job seeker can make. Canada's Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) program, funded through Employment and Social Development Canada, works through a national network of Indigenous-led organizations that offer skills assessments, certification support, job placements, and connections to employers actively recruiting Indigenous talent. This guide walks you through how the program works, which major providers operate in your region, and how to get your application moving.
Quick takeaways
- ISET is a federal program delivered by Indigenous-controlled organizations, not a single government office
- Services can include funded training, certification exam coverage, job placement, and wage subsidies for employers who hire you
- You do not need to live on a reserve to access most ISET-funded services
- Major providers include NVision Insight Group, Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC), Tungasuvvingat Inuit, and dozens of regional First Nations employment centres
- First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis, and Inuit individuals across Canada are eligible
- Indigenous youth ages 15 to 30 may access dedicated programming streams with additional supports
What the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program Is
The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training program is a federal initiative administered by Employment and Social Development Canada. Rather than delivering services through a single government office, ISET works through a network of Indigenous-controlled organizations that each hold multi-year funding agreements. These agreements give each organization the flexibility to design employment programming that reflects the specific needs of their communities and regions.
ISET replaced an earlier initiative called the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy and has been refined over time to give Indigenous organizations more autonomy over how they design and deliver supports. Today, ISET-funded providers offer everything from one-on-one employment counselling and resume building to sponsored certification programs in trades, healthcare, technology, and the resource sector.
Why This Model Works for Job Seekers
Because services are delivered by Indigenous-led organizations, staff understand the specific employment barriers that First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people often face. These can include geographic isolation, gaps in formal education history, the need for culturally grounded career planning, or simply not knowing which employers are genuinely committed to Indigenous hiring. ISET service providers bridge those gaps in ways that a generic employment centre typically cannot.
How Funding Flows to You
Funding does not come directly to you as a cash benefit. Instead, ISET organizations use their funding to pay for training programs, cover certification exam fees, provide childcare or transportation allowances during training, or offer wage subsidies to employers who hire you after your training is complete. The specific supports available depend on your provider and your employment goal, so reaching out early gives you the most options.
Who Is Eligible for ISET-Funded Services
Eligibility depends on the specific organization delivering services in your area, but the federal framework targets First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis, and Inuit individuals. You do not need to live on a reserve. Many ISET providers specifically serve urban Indigenous populations and people in rural communities off-reserve.
Age and Employment Status
Most ISET providers serve working-age adults, but youth between 15 and 30 may also qualify for dedicated programming streams. These include regionally managed Indigenous youth employment funds and, in some areas, stream-specific supports for young people who are not currently in school or employment. If you are between jobs, returning to work after caregiving, or looking to change sectors entirely, ISET services are available to help you build a plan.
Community-Specific Providers
Some ISET holders serve specific nations or Métis regions rather than all Indigenous people in a geography. For example, Métis Nation British Columbia delivers employment services to Métis citizens registered with MNBC, while other organizations serve a broader cross-section of Indigenous job seekers regardless of nation affiliation. When you contact a provider, they will quickly confirm whether you fall within their service mandate and, if not, point you toward the right organization.
How ISET Service Providers Support Your Job Search
Connecting with an ISET provider is not just about accessing training funding. These organizations offer a full range of employment supports that can meaningfully improve your application, your interview readiness, and your long-term career prospects.
Employment Counselling and Skills Assessment
Most ISET providers start with a one-on-one intake conversation. A counsellor helps you identify your existing skills, your employment goals, and the steps between where you are now and where you want to be. This assessment shapes the employment action plan they develop with you.
Funded Training and Certification
Once your plan is in place, your ISET provider can sponsor you for training at a community college, trades school, or recognized online credentialing platform. Common training areas include:
- Construction and skilled trades: carpentry, electrical, welding, heavy equipment operation
- Healthcare and social services: personal support workers, community health representatives, mental health support roles
- Business administration and financial management
- Information technology and digital skills
- Resource industries including forestry, mining, and oil and gas
Many providers have direct relationships with local institutions and may have pre-negotiated spots for Indigenous participants, which can shorten wait times for programs.
Job Placement and Employer Connections
Many ISET holders actively recruit employer partners committed to Indigenous hiring. After your training, your provider may arrange interviews directly or connect you with employers posting positions specifically for Indigenous candidates. Some providers also offer wage subsidy arrangements, where an employer receives partial reimbursement for your wages during an initial employment period. This makes it easier for smaller organizations to bring you on board while you build experience in your new role.
Major ISET Service Delivery Organizations Across Canada
Canada's ISET network includes more than 30 regional agreement holders. Here are some of the larger providers you are likely to encounter when searching for support.
NVision Insight Group
NVision Insight Group is one of the longer-standing ISET agreement holders in Canada, with a track record of supporting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit job seekers through employment planning, training referrals, and employer partnerships. NVision works with candidates across a broad range of sectors, from professional and administrative roles to trades and resource industries.
Métis Nation British Columbia
MNBC operates employment services specifically for Métis citizens of British Columbia. Through its skills training and employment programs, MNBC helps registered Métis citizens access funded training, apprenticeship pathways, and direct employer referrals. If you hold MNBC citizenship or are working toward registration, their employment services division is the right starting point for your skills training application.
Tungasuvvingat Inuit
Based in Ottawa, Tungasuvvingat Inuit serves Inuit people living in southern Ontario. Their employment programming is tailored to Inuit individuals who have relocated to urban centres and are looking to enter or re-enter the workforce. TI combines employment supports with cultural programming, recognizing that connection to community often supports stronger and more sustainable employment outcomes.
Regional First Nations Employment Centres
Across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces, many First Nations Tribal Councils and urban Indigenous friendship centres hold ISET agreements. These organizations often have the strongest relationships with employers in your immediate region. Searching the ESDC ISET service provider directory by province or territory is the quickest way to find the closest office.
Types of Jobs and Sectors Accessible Through ISET Pathways
ISET training programs are not limited to entry-level roles. While many job seekers use ISET supports to earn their first certified credential, others use them to move into supervisory positions, Red Seal trades apprenticeships, or healthcare and social service careers that require formal qualifications.
Trades and Construction
Trades certifications gained through ISET funding open doors to carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and heavy equipment operation. These roles are in demand across Canada, including in resource-adjacent communities where employers actively seek locally certified Indigenous workers. Completing a trades program can also lead to an apprenticeship, giving you a structured multi-year pathway to journeyperson certification.
Healthcare and Community Services
Personal support worker programs, community health representative training, and mental health and addictions support roles are all accessible through ISET-funded pathways. These are particularly meaningful careers for job seekers who want to contribute directly to the wellbeing of their communities while building a stable income.
Technology and Remote-Eligible Roles
A growing number of ISET providers have invested in digital skills training. Completing a recognized IT or data management certification can open the door to roles that allow remote work, expanding your options regardless of where in Canada you live.
Finding an ISET Provider and Starting the Process
The most direct first step is contacting an ISET provider that serves your nation or region. You can:
- Search the Employment and Social Development Canada website for ISET service providers by province or territory
- Contact your band office or Tribal Council, who often maintain direct referral relationships with ISET holders
- Reach out to your nearest urban Indigenous friendship centre, many of which hold ISET agreements or can connect you to the right provider
- Browse current job postings and employer connections through IndigenousTalentHub.ca, which brings together Indigenous-focused employment opportunities from employers across Canada
When you contact a provider, be prepared to share your employment goals, your educational background, and whether you have any prior certifications or work experience. They will use this to shape your employment action plan.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first meeting with an ISET counsellor is a conversation, not a job interview. The goal is to understand where you are starting and where you want to go. Bring any documents you have, such as your resume, past transcripts, certificates, and identification. If you do not have a resume, the counsellor can help you build one as part of the intake process.
Combining ISET With Other Employment Resources
ISET services work best when paired with other tools available to Indigenous job seekers in Canada.
IndigenousTalentHub.ca is a Canada-wide job board dedicated to connecting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit job seekers with employers who have made active commitments to Indigenous hiring and procurement. While your ISET provider works with you on training and employment planning, using IndigenousTalentHub.ca at the same time lets you browse current openings, research employer profiles, and identify which sectors are hiring now in your field of interest.
Other resources that complement your ISET plan include:
- The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Indigenous People, which provides financial support during Red Seal trades apprenticeships
- Provincial employment insurance programs that may bridge income during ISET-funded training periods
- Post-secondary bursaries through your nation or Métis organization that can supplement any remaining training costs
FAQ
What does ISET stand for?
ISET stands for Indigenous Skills and Employment Training. It is a federal program funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and delivered through a national network of Indigenous-led service organizations. Each organization holds a multi-year funding agreement that allows it to tailor employment programming to its specific community or region.
Do I have to pay for ISET services?
No. Services delivered through ISET-funded organizations are available to eligible First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals at no cost. Depending on your provider and your employment plan, training fees, certification exam costs, and in some cases transportation or childcare supports during training may also be covered.
Can I access ISET services if I live in a city rather than on a reserve?
Yes. Many ISET providers specifically serve urban Indigenous populations. Urban friendship centres, Métis Nation provincial offices, and Inuit service organizations in major Canadian cities all hold ISET agreements or can refer you to the appropriate provider. Living off-reserve does not disqualify you.
How long does ISET-funded training typically take?
This varies depending on your training program and employment goal. Short-term skills courses may run a few weeks, while trades apprenticeship programs span several years. Your ISET counsellor will explain the timelines for different options and what supports are available throughout each stage.
Can my future employer benefit from ISET as well?
Yes. Employers who commit to hiring ISET program participants may be eligible for wage subsidies during an initial employment period. This makes ISET partnerships attractive for employers who want to build Indigenous talent pipelines and demonstrate tangible reconciliation commitments. Your ISET provider can connect you with employers already enrolled in these arrangements.
Is ISET only for people who have never worked before?
No. ISET services are available to people at many stages of their working life, including those re-entering the workforce after caregiving, changing sectors, or upgrading certifications for a promotion. Your employment history does not disqualify you. What matters is that you have a clear employment goal and meet the eligibility criteria for the provider in your area.
Ready to take the next step? Visit IndigenousTalentHub.ca at https://indigenoustalenthub.ca/job-seekers to browse current openings and create a candidate profile. Pairing your ISET employment plan with the employer connections available there gives you a stronger foundation for landing a role that fits your skills and your future.
