Programs & Initiatives

FPDI

Tech for Seniors Workshop 2024

This project was funded by New Horizons for Seniors Program. Our goal was to help seniors increase their comfort and confidence navigating the online world.

Delivered by Chris Shultz

The workshop had ten participants and was extremely informative. Everyone commented that they learned a great deal. It was held on February 15 and 16, 2024.

The workshop covered the following content:

  • Understanding Online Threats – social engineering, phishing attacks, malware, drive-by downloads, Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks, wi-fi eavesdropping, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, key logging, password attacks, credential stuffing, ransomware and unpatched software.
  • Password Management – importance of creating a unique and strong password for different accounts, and password management tools.
  • Email Security – identifying phishing emails, spam filters and email settings, and safe email communication practices.
  • Safe Browsing Habits – recognizing secure websites, avoiding suspicious links and pop-ups, and the importance of software updates.
  • Social media and Privacy – overview of popular social media platforms and privacy settings on social media accounts.
  • Online Privacy Tips – importance of controlling personal information online.

Chris implemented ice breakers that were a lot of fun. He also addressed participant questions and concerns, as well as providing additional resources for ongoing learning.

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FPDI

Powerline Technician Trade Program

In 2020 FPDI partnered with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2085 (IBEW Local 2085) to recruit and train 9 Indigenous individuals for Lineman careers. The program targeted unemployed and underemployed youth to be trained in the electrical sector.

Through the collaboration of many partners, the student’s tuition, living allowance and wraparound supports were fully paid. IBEW Local 2085 covered the student tuition through a grant from Electricity Human Resources Canada. FPDI paid for supports such as monthly bus passes. Upon graduation, FPDI paid for the climbing gear required for employment. Each student received monthly living allowance from their First Nation, contributed under the ISET program. These supports led to a very successful program with 100% completion success rate and a 100% employment. IBEW Local 2085 organized and secured the employment placements.

The first program started January 18, 2021 and finished June 18, 2021 due to the success of the program future sessions are in planning, please watch our social media accounts and job board postings for the dates. Training will take place at the IBEW Centre of Excellence Training Centre. We thank IBEW for their outstanding instructors and their quality work.

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FPDI

Tech for Seniors Workshop

This project was funded by New Horizons for Seniors Program. Our goal was to help seniors increase their comfort and confidence using their Apple or Android devices.

Our partner – Canada Consulting created a step-by-step guide, that is available for download, to assist learners and was presented by Andrea Canada.

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FPDI

Apprenticeship Support Project

Working to Seal a Better Future!

The Apprenticeship Project will assist Small and Medium Employers (SMEs) to hire first-year apprentices in one of the 39 Red Seal trades.

  1. Are you an Employer seeking to hire a first year apprentice or currently have an employee you would like to enroll in the apprenticeship system?
  2. Are you a first year apprentice seeking employment?

A $5,000 incentive is available for employer to hire a first year apprentice.

 An additional $5,000 is available for hiring of an individual from an equity-deserving group.

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FPDI

Practical Nursing Program

The Practical Nursing program is a partnership with FPDI, Assiniboine Community College and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA). The program started March 2022 and runs until January 2024.

The two-year program is designed to prepare students with the competencies to practice as part of an interdisciplinary team and to deliver nursing care within the context of their scope of practice.

Known as a challenging and rewarding career for caring and compassionate individuals, becoming a nurse takes critical thinking, problem solving, effective interpersonal skills, flexibility and a strong background in mathematics and science. The program started March 2022 and runs until January 2024.

 

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FPDI

Construction Electrician Pre-Employment Program

FPDI partnered with IBEW Local 2085 in January 2020 to deliver the Construction Electrician Pre-employment Program. This exciting trade will always be in demand as our society increases its reliance on basic electrical infrastructure to support home, business and industrial growth.

A construction electrician plans, assembles, installs, repairs, tests and maintains electrical fixtures and systems that provide heat, light, power or control in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. If you are interested in this trade, like precision work plus have a solid background in Mathematics, then you should consider taking this program. The theoretical core program contents have a huge Math component and to ensure successful completions we worked together with our partnering organization to offer a 5-week Math course prior to the start of the program.

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FPDI

FPDI Robotics Program

In 2015 FPDI envisioned the need to promote IT related careers to First Nations youth. With funding from Indigenous Services Canada, the Robotics Program has turned into a 6 year highly sought after program that has employed 26 Indigenous Youth Instructors. Since 2015 we have successfully delivered training to over 1,200 youth participants from 93 communities.

The workshops are facilitated by the FPDI Youth Instructors. Each workshop is two weeks long delivered in community or in various cities. The participants are introduced to STEM concepts and basic coding utilizing the Lego EV3 Mindstorm Robot kit. The workshop is augmented with a customized two-day drone workshop, where participants learn about drones, their many uses and career possibilities. During the two weeks, participants experience self directed learning, team building, communication, problem solving, creative expression, and learning through play. The program ends with the participants building a sumo battling robot using what they learned during the two weeks. This is a friendly competition with generous mutual recognition.

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FPDI

Child Care Program

Funding is provided to First Nations daycares through the First Nations and Inuit Child Care Initiative (FNICCI). FNICCI funding is intended to support culturally appropriate, affordable, quality child care services.

FPDI supports 24 on-reserve First Nation Daycares. The Daycare centre staff work hard to provide their children, families and communities with high quality child care services. The program allows parents to pursue educational and career opportunities that might not have otherwise been possible. FPDI provides on going advice, support and yearly professional development for the 24 daycares.

A cultural project was developed in 2020. A children’s book was written about the importance of hand hygiene. The book is written in Ojibway and English. An order form is available below.

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FPDI

Labour Market Survey Initiative

In 2019 FPDI partnered with Aboriginal Employment Services (AES) to conduct an on-reserve labour market information (LMI) survey pilot to test processes and tools to improve the level of detail and timelines of labour supply information for on reserve communities. The survey gathers and analyzes Indigenous Labour Market Information (ILMI) of the 15+ population living on and off reserve. Seven participating First Nations surveyed their community members, collecting skills inventory information, education levels, employment history, previous training and other skills.

The goal of the on reserve ILMI survey pilot is to collect community level data on an annual basis for the benefit of First Nation communities. To date FPDI and the First Nations have collected 10,640 labour market surveys in Manitoba. Throughout the pandemic FPDI and the First Nations have faced the challenge of being unable to conduct surveys in person, but with the help of AES an online portal was created.

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FPDI

Welding Program

FPDI partnered with the Piping Industry Technical College of Manitoba (PITC) and the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) to deliver a two-and-a-half-year Indigenous Welding Program. The program was a National Apprenticeship Consortium Pilot which started in 2018 and ended September, 2021.

The program began with a series of three, one-week welding camps funded by Enbridge. 45 individuals took part in the welding camps. These camps served as a recruitment strategy to enable the selection of participants who showed an aptitude and interest in welding. 13 participants were selected for further training. The recruitment method was recognized as a national best practice. “This approach is considered best practice within the sector and may help Indigenous participants build credibility with employers over the long-term. It will also have a positive impact on retention by reducing the likelihood that participants leave the program because of disinterest or discovering they do not like the trade.”

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FPDI

Class 1 Driver Training Program

Our valued partner, First-Class Training Centre Inc. (FCTC) offers the Class 1 Truck Driver program. From 2017 to 2021, 100 Indigenous students have taken the course; 72 completed and 69 % are employed in the industry.

As a member of the Manitoba Trucking Association, FCTC has certified instructors who warrant a high standard of training and support for students.

FPDI recognized the high demand for truck drivers in the labour market and took the initiative to ensure Indigenous students get the opportunity to fill these vacancies.

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FPDI

First Nations Youth Summit

In October 2018, over 100 youth from 51 of the 63 Manitoba First nations between the ages of 15 and 30 travelled to Winnipeg to participate in FPDI’s First Nations Youth Summit.

The summit brought the Youth together to discuss and share their visions for what they want to see in their communities that would benefit other Youth.

They learned how to write and submitted a project proposal based on their vision of what would benefit Youth in their respective communities.

In February 2019, the youth submitted their project proposals to ISC. FPDI and ISC assessed the submissions which resulted in all 8 community proposals being successful funded over $4m in community youth projects.

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FPDI

Heavy Equipment Operator Program

FPDI works in partnership with the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Manitoba (OETIM) to train Heavy Equipment Operators (HEO). OETIM has a reputation for providing leading-edge training in HEO.

This HEO program offers nationally recognized credentials allowing for mobility of skills and certifications throughout Manitoba and other Canadian Provinces.

From 2017 to 2021, 103 Indigenous individuals were trained. 102 completed the program and 64% found employment.

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FPDI

Traditional Drums for All

This project was funded by New Horizons for Seniors Program. Our goal was to address the isolation experienced by some seniors in our current Covid-19 world by offering an online tool to spark discussion about the significance of the traditional drum.

FPDI along with our partners created a step-by-step video on how to make a traditional drum, taught by Elder Mark Hall. Also filmed was Elder Clarence Nepinak, sharing the significance of the drum. These videos document the importance of traditional activities such as drum making as a means to maintain overall mental health and well being in the teaching of Mino Bimaadiziiwin – Living Well. A group of seniors and non-seniors gathered to experience hands-on learning on how to make a drum. This activity is documented in the drum video. The video is an interactive tool for use with senior or any other groups.

We hope you enjoy the videos and are inspired to try and make your own drum.

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FPDI

Plumbing Program

FPDI and the Piping Industry Technical College of Manitoba (PITC) partnered in March 2021 to offer the Plumbing course.

The pre-employment program is the first step to becoming a licensed Plumbing Technician. With its qualified instructors imparting the most up to date skills by utilizing innovative techniques, our partner PITC provides cutting-edge training for the learners.

Skills learned are measuring, cutting, bending, and threading pipe to specifications, assembling and installing valves, pipes, and fittings, reading blueprints, installing fixtures and related trim, interpretation of the plumbing code, rigging and material handling, piping-related mathematics and job safety. The program has a heavy Consumer Math component so good Math and drawing skills are helpful in succeeding in this course. Skilled plumbers are relied upon for effective water distribution, safe drinking water, and waste disposal.

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FPDI

Food Security Project

FPDI partnered with Green Iglu and Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) to construct a Growing Dome greenhouse and implement a training program. The project is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

The proposed project involves establishing a greenhouse in the community and putting in place a fresh produce distribution system. The greenhouse and fresh produce distribution system will compliment the existing NCN Country Food Program that is now available to members. The greenhouse will operate on a year-round basis.

Food security is an ongoing challenge for many individuals living in rural and remote First Nation communities. The Project allows NCN to take important steps towards building a sustainable local food system that will mitigate some of the risks of food insecurity for its members. Green Iglu utilizes a skill-based training approach where learning goals and benchmarks/milestones are determined collaboratively. Green Iglu and FPDI will provide training, mentoring and support to get the greenhouse operational, to put policy and procedure in place and to design and implement the delivery mechanism.

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