Career Development

This page has information about career development and employment assistance programs available in Nunavut.

About the Career Development Division

The Career Development division assists in the employment and training goals of Nunavummiut by developing and delivering labour market programs that are designed to support training and skills development that leads to an employment outcome. Career Development also works with partner agencies to deliver programs and services.

Contact

Iqaluit Headquarters – 1-(867) 975-5200
Kitikmeot – 1-800-661-0845
Kivalliq – 1-800-953-8516
Qikiqtani – 1-800-567-1514

Employment Assistance Services (EAS)

Career Development offers employment assistance services to Nunavummiut. Services are provided through Career Development Officers (CDOs) and include services such as: individual or group-based career counselling, job interview preparation, resume writing assistance, training program referrals, and more.

Career Development may also fund program delivery agents who wish to deliver employment assistance services on behalf of Family Services. Delivery agents may include businesses, municipal governments, Inuit organizations, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions.

Adult Learning and Training Supports (ALTS)

The Adult Learning and Training Supports (ALTS) program assists Nunavummiut by providing financial support to Nunavut students while they undertake training or upgrading programs that are under a year, or less in duration. It is intended to reduce the financial stressors imposed on students to increase the chances of students completing their education and training programs which will increase the students employment outcome upon completion of the program.

Generally, training funded under this program falls under two categories: training that directly leads to employment after it is completed and work readiness or upgrading training.

Examples of ALTS funded programs include:

  • Apprentice technical training
  • Workplace training
  • Pre-trades training
  • Nunavut Arctic College Foundations programs

Eligibility:

  • Canadian citizens or permanent residents
  • Persons either unemployed or underemployed
  • Resident of Nunavut
  • 18 years of age or older

ALTS is complimentary to FANS in that programs eligible for ALTS funding are not eligible for FANS funding and vice versa.

Training Assistance Program (TAP)

The Training Assistance Program (TAP) provides a wage subsidy to small and medium sized employers to assist with the hiring and training of unemployed or under-skilled workers (non-apprentices). The training can be up to 52 weeks in length, may be delivered on the job site, at an institution or training provider or as a combination of both.

Eligibility:

  • Employers must be public sector, private sector, non-governmental, charitable or voluntary organizations
  • Trainees should be residents of Nunavut

Apprenticeship Training on the Job (ATOJ)

The Apprenticeship Training on the Job (ATOJ) program provides a wage subsidy to small and medium sized employers to help them hire and train unemployed or under-skilled workers who are registered under the Nunavut Apprenticeship program. The training can be up to 52 weeks in length and must be delivered on the job site.

Eligibility:

  • Employers must be public sector, private sector, non-governmental, charitable or voluntary organizations
  • Trainees should be residents of Nunavut and registered under the Nunavut Apprenticeship program

If the apprenticeship is 3 years in duration, no wage subsidy will be provided in the final year. Wage reimbursement will be paid for regular hours worked only.

Grant for Nunavut Employers (GNE)

The Grant for Nunavut Employers (GNE) program provides eligible employers with a grant (maximum of $10,000 per trainee) to support their employees in training that will advance their career opportunities within the organization, including increased salaries and the ability to retain higher level positions.

The Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut provide funding through the Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) to support the training of Nunavummiut for new and better jobs. The Agreement encourages employer involvement in this training so that skill development is better aligned to job opportunities. Under the Grant for Nunavut Employers (GNE)),

Eligible employers:

The GNE is designed for small employers (50 or fewer employers) and designated Crown Corporations and Inuit Organizations who wish to target training initiatives for trainees from small remote communities.

Training:

Training may be delivered in a variety of settings providing it is delivered by an institution recognized by the GNE program, including universities, community colleges, career colleges, trade union training centers and other approved accredited institutions. The intent of this grant is not to subsidize regular operational training. Rather, the intent is to support training that would not have otherwise occurred without the grant opportunity.

Eligible trainees:

Trainees must be employed with the eligible employer and require further training to increase their job advancement opportunities. Expected employment outcomes for trainees could be a new position, a promotion and/or increased pay within the organization. Trainees may receive a grant one time only.

Targeted Labour Market Program (TLMP)

The Targeted Labour Market Program (TLMP)funds the development and delivery of training programs in Nunavut under the realm of Career Development. TLMP provides funding of up to one year in duration to eligible employers, institutions or training providers to enable Nunavut-based education and/or training for occupations or skills that either are or will be in demand.

Applicant organizations must be able to demonstrate a labour market connection between the training for which they are seeking financial support and employment for Nunavummiut. This normally would include evidence of occupational demand from Nunavut employers and historical evidence that similar training resulted directly in the employment of those individuals who received the training.

Eligibility:

Training providers must be either:

  • Community non-profit organizations and institutions
  • Municipal corporations
  • Inuit Organizations
  • And societies

Priority will be given to Nunavut based organizations that target marginalized groups such as:

  • Persons with disabilities
  • Youth at risk (ages 15-30, and not attending school)
  • Persons who face multiple barriers to employment
  • Persons who are unemployed, underemployed or persistently unemployed

Contact

Eligible applicants may contact the Labour Market Programs Specialist at (867) 975-5226 to receive more information on how to apply.

Nunavut Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupations Certificate

The Department of Family Services’ Apprenticeship Unit supports skilled workers and apprentices on their way to becoming journeypersons either with or without their Interprovincial Standards Red Seal certification. The Apprenticeship Unit also certifies eligible trade occupations. The Unit is governed by the Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Act and makes decisions based upon recommendations of the Nunavut Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Board.

The Nunavut Apprenticeship Program is a structured system of supervised training that combines on-the-job mentoring (under the leadership of a supervised journeyperson (SJP) or Designated Supervising Tradesperson (DST) as well as in-school technical instruction (8-12 weeks in duration per year).

Workplace training provides apprentices with the knowledge, practical skills, tools and experience in his/her chosen trade or occupation, while technical training provides theory instruction. Together, both lead to a recognized certification.

Entrance Requirements

The applicant must:

  • be at least 16 years of age
  • write and pass a trade-relevant Trades Entrance Exam (TEE) OR successfully complete the Skilled Trades Worker (STW) program.
  • Have an employer willing to work with you as an apprentice
  • Have an employer that has a supervised journeyperson (SJP) or Designated Supervising Tradesperson (DST) willing to mentor the apprentice during his/her apprenticeship

Contact

If you wish to become an apprentice or have an employee who is interested in becoming an apprentice, contact your regions career development office to be placed in touch with an Apprenticeship Officer (AO).

Labour Market Agreements

Labour market funding agreements with the Government of Canada (GoC) support the suite of labour market programs and services offered in Nunavut. These agreements ensure that a greater number of Nunavummiut than would be possible with GN funding alone can access training and education, further their employment goals and overcome barriers to participation in the labour market.

Labour Market Information (LMI)

Understanding labour market information can help inform your decisions about your education, your career, your workplace, your community and your future.

Labour market information can tell you:

  • Where the jobs are now;
  • Where the jobs are likely going to be in the future;
  • What skills and training are in demand;
  • What qualifications are needed for jobs; and
  • Which occupations may present more, or fewer, opportunities for work in the future.

Contact

Career Development Officers (CDOs) are available in your region to assist you with interpreting LMI and making the appropriate decisions for your future. Contact your regions career development office for more information on LMI in Nunavut.

Getting Ready for Employment and Training (G.R.E.A.T.)

The G.R.E.A.T. program is a 14-week program delivered in partnership by the Department of Family Services and Nunavut Arctic College. Graduates will be more prepared for employment and/or training opportunities.

Purpose:

To support Social Assistance clients to make successful entry into the labour force and become employed and/or pursue further training and education.

Participants in this program will:

  • Develop and/or improve the essential skills of reading text, document use, working with numbers, computer use and writing, which are required for most jobs.
  • Reflect upon personal and career goals, and identify learning and career opportunities.
  • Create an up-to-date resumé and cover letter, and practice interview skills.
  • Create a prior learning portfolio that identifies and provides documentation of personal strengths, skills, knowledge and attitudes.
  • Know more about employment opportunities by participating in and reflecting upon a mentored on-the-job work experience.
  • Conduct effective job searches.

Contact

Phone: 867-975-5244

Summer Employment for Nunavut Students (SENS)

The Summer Employment for Nunavut Students (SENS) program is a work experience program that supports private sector employers, through a wage subsidy to hire and train Nunavut students over the summer months. The SENS program also provides Nunavut students the ability to gain on-the-job skills training as well as income towards their next year of schooling.

Eligible Employers

  • The program targets employers in the private and non-governmental sectors, as well as hamlets, who want to hire youth for the summer.

Eligible Students must be:

  • able to provide their proof of age,
  • proof of enrollment (report card or transcript),
  • returning to school in the fall,
  • a resident of Nunavut

Students may begin work immediately upon completing the school year.

Contact

Phone: 867-975-5244

Wage Subsidy

SENS provides employers with a wage subsidy of 50% of the students wage up to $15.00/hour. If employers hire persons with disabilities SENS provides a wage subsidy of 65% of the wages up to $15.00/hour to a maximum of 40 hours per week.

Contact

For more information contact your regions career development office to be connected with a Career Development Officer (CDO).

Piqataugitsi: Disability Support Program

Employment for Nunavummiut with disabilities is a Government of Nunavut priority. Career Development strives to promote inclusiveness within the workplace and training environments in Nunavut by offering labour market programs that support persons with disabilities and those who face persistent barriers employment and training. All Labour Market Programs offered through Career Development have a disability Support component, including information on the disability support component of each program can be found on the program cards associated with that program or on the family services website.

A Supporting Employment Program is also available to employees/employers who require workplace accommodations.

Eligible individuals may include:

  • Someone who self identifies with having a disability (including hidden disabilities such as learning disabilities, sensory impairments, mental health difficulties, chronic pain, and other less visible disabilities)
  • Someone who faces persistent barriers to employment
  • Someone who is employed or going to be employed (Immediately after application is submitted)
  • Someone who is employed with one of the employers listed below

Eligible employers may include:

  • non-government organizations, municipal governments, not-for-profit organizations, private businesses, Inuit organizations, and industry associations may also apply for funding.
  • In order to receive this funding, a person MUST self-Identify with having a disability.

Funding Available through Other Labour Market Programs:

  • Organizations/Institutions who wish to deliver training and employment programs to Nunavummiut facing barriers to employment due to a disability can do so under the Targeted Labour Market Program (TLMP)
  • Wage Subsidy Programs Including (TAP, SENS, HEY) also have a higher percentage of wage subsidy covered If employers hire persons with disabilities or those who face persistent barriers to employment
  • Adult Learning and Training Supports (ALTS) will cover the costs of assistive devices required for persons with disabilities attending training programs.

What is a Disability?

Disability includes any degree of physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, learning and/or psychiatric impairment or activity limitation. Inaccessible spaces, attitudes and assumptions about people’s abilities or differences create barriers to employment. This can make typical activities of daily living and work difficult. An individual may have one disability or co-existing disabilities.

To receive more information on the Supporting Employment Program please contact a Program Development and Delivery Specialist at 867 975-5244.