First Nations Employment and Training Centre

about fnet

The Indian Resource Council of Canada (IRC) is a First Nation organization founded by the Chiefs of the oil and gas producing First Nations to represent the collective interests of those First Nations with government and industry. The Chiefs included in their mandate to the IRC "to encourage and promote First Nations human resources development in oil and gas." The IRC is committed to working toward increasing and maintaining the benefits derived from oil and gas exploration and development, including opportunities for employment and economic growth for First Nations.

The FNET concept was developed jointly by the Indian Resource Council of Canada (IRC) and representatives from the oil and gas industry as a coordinating agency for First Nations employment and training initiatives and also to serve as a clearinghouse for information relating to employment in this sector
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fnet's mission statement

FNET will promote and facilitate initiatives to increase Aboriginal employment in the oil and gas and related industries by creating and maintaining effective results-oriented working relationships among the key stakeholder groups, including industry, Aboriginal groups, training organizations and government.

fnet's objectives

	To provide and manage a database of (oil and gas) employment information for both industry and Aboriginal people looking for jobs.
	To serve as a referral agency and advocate for Aboriginal people looking for jobs in the oil and gas related industries.
	To identify long term potential and specific demand for employment including skill requirements and to develop and deliver training commensurate with these needs including curriculum development.
	To undertake specific oil and gas research projects related to Aboriginal human resource development as well as researching specific oil and gas topics of interest and concern to Aboriginal people.
	To facilitate establishment of on-going communication linkages among industry, Aboriginal groups, Government and training institutions who are key partners in the FNET project.

background

The Indian Resource Council of Canada (IRC), in partnership with Human resources development Canada (HRDC), began to develop a strategy in 1994 to increase First Nation employment in the oil and gas industry. The IRC and HRDC jointly sponsored a Human Resource Committee to develop this strategy. The joint Committee was made up of First Nation leaders, federal government representatives, educational representatives and representation of virtually all the companies involved in the petroleum and related sectors through their respective associations. The committee submitted its final report to the Minister of Human Resources Development in June 1996.

The final report concluded that there is a need for a coordination role in the effort to increase First Nation employment and training in the resource sector and that this coordination role between First Nations, government, industry and educational institutions could also involve the preparation and delivery of training programs. To fill this need the Committee recommended the establishment of an FNET centre that would draw upon the resources and expertise of industry, First Nations and educational institutions.

FNET was established in 1997 by the IRC and CAPP, with support from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and HRDC. It is now in the process of establishing its administrative structure and has selected both a Board of Directors and joint working committee.

To fulfill the need identified by the earlier joint committee, FNET will undertake the following objectives:

	operate a centre, known as the First Nations Employment and Training Centre, that will operate as a networking/coordinating organization to identify needs and promote employment initiatives and to develop and deliver oil and gas related employment and training programs for Aboriginal people.
	coordinate the efforts of Aboriginal communities, industry and the federal government toward increasing employment opportunities and participation by Aboriginal people in the oil and gas and related sectors.
	develop specific training and career development projects to increase employment of Aboriginal peoples in the oil and gas and related sectors.
	provide a database to share relevant information related to the training and career development for Aboriginal people, including information about present and future employment opportunities, training and career development initiatives, availability of Aboriginal candidates for training and employment and sources of relevant information and expertise.
	where possible, be an active partner in the development and delivery of oil and gas related training and employment initiatives for Aboriginal peoples.

indian resource council of canada (irc)

The Indian Resource Council of Canada (IRC) was founded in 1987 by the Chiefs of the oil and gas producing First Nations as a political body to represent their collective interests with government and industry. The mandates of the IRC are:

	to support First Nations in their efforts to manage and control their oil and natural gas resources;
	to complement initiatives by First Nations to ensure preservation of Crown Trust (CT) obligations based on treaties;
	to coordinate oil and gas initiatives to ensure maximum economic benefits for First Nations;
	to encourage and promote First Nations human resource development in oil and natural gas;
	to ultimately replace and perform the duties of Indian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC) in five years.

canadian association of petroleum producers (capp)

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) represents approximately 170 companies which find, develop and produce over 95 percent of Canada's oil and natural gas. CAPP's mission is to enhance the economic well-being and sustainability of the Canadian upstream petroleum industry in a socially, environmentally and technically responsible manner.

First Nations Employment and Training (FNET)
c/o Indian Resource Council of Canada
235, 9911 Chula Boulevard
Tsuu T'ina (Sarcee), Alberta
T2W 6H6
(403) 238-7220
email: info@fnet.ca