Work Force Qalipu is the Education, Training and Employment Division of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band. It is responsible for providing the infrastructure necessary to support QMFNB training, employment, contracting and entrepreneurial opportunities in the public and private sectors.
Funding Application Deadlines
The deadline for applications from members for post-secondary funding are:
February 28th – Spring/Summer Semesters and Intersession
June 30th – Fall Semester
October 31st – Winter Semester
Also, please note that a copy of your Approval Letter to be a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band or your Temporary Confirmation of Registration Document must be included with your documentation with the application.
Education and Training Programs
Project-based Training:
Quality training projects delivered and coordinated by a third party based on targeting a specific labour market need under the objectives of the QMFNB’S Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy with the intent of placing the clients in meaningful, long-term employment.
Individual Training:
Purchase of training from recognized training providers based on QMFNB criteria. Up to 52 weeks of skills training can be supported. The training must be certified and result in employment self-sufficiency.
Post-Secondary Support:
The purpose of the Post-Secondary Program is to support Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band members in their efforts to gain access to post-secondary education as a means to meet their long term career goals in this ever changing labour market.
The Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band (QMFNB) will receive financial assistance from Indian and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) to fund post-secondary education programs for its members.
The Post-Secondary Program (PSP) provides funding support (within specific limits) for eligible students to attend eligible college or university-level certificate, diploma or degree programs at eligible post-secondary institutions.
Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (ABE) is a provincial program for adult learners and is made up of three levels: Level I refers to basic literacy and roughly equates to K-6; Level II is considered equivalent to grades 7-9; Level III corresponds to grades 10-12 and requires the completion of a minimum of 36 credits in order to graduate.
Work Force Qalipu will provide funding assistance for eligible students to participate in ABE Levels II and III.
Distance Education
Distance Education students are those students completing their training through distance and must be enrolled in 100% of a full course load as determined by the Post-Secondary Institution. Distance Education Students are eligible for the same benefits and have to meet the same requirements as part-time students.
Student Priority Categories
There are four priority categories. Student applications will be assessed and funded according to the categories listed below in their order of priority.
- Students enrolled in post-secondary or high school in the previous year and continuing in a post-secondary program.
- Applicants whose applications were deferred for lack of funds
- Other post-secondary students. Within this priority category the QMFNB may prioritize particular programs of study based on regional priorities.
- Those students whom have been funded for programs through the QMFNB, FNI, HRLE or Service Canada in the last five (5) years. This includes those that complete an undergraduate degree and continue to an advanced degree program of studies without a break in their education.
Application Process
All applications and supporting documentation must be mailed or hand delivered to the Client Intake Officer at the following address. Faxed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted.
Work Force Qalipu
P.O. Box 460
St. George’s, NL
A0N 1Z0
To submit an application:
Download the application form (PDF), print it out, fill it in completely, and submit to Work Force Qalipu.
Consent to Release Information.
If you wish to have a person, other than yourself, act on your behalf, please complete a Consent to Release Information form. This form allows Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation to share your post-secondary information with a representative designated by you. This could be a family member, friend, spouse or university or college official. Without this consent form, we cannot share your information with anyone other than yourself. Download Here
Approval process:
Training applications are evaluated based on:
- labour market needs
- initiative of the individual
- cost of training.
Employment Programs
Job Creation Partnerships (JCP)
The JCP is designed for Qalipu members who are currently unemployed and have a desire to improve their work experience with meaningful employment related to their profession. JCP contracts with employers must contribute to potential employment.
Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP)
Self-Employment Assistance provides financial support for individuals who are on, or who have been on Employment Insurance, while starting their own business. It is designed t help individuals create jobs for themselves through self-employment. It provides individuals with various types of support during the period when they start up a business. Under the SEAP, individuals receiving or eligible for Insurance Benefits (IB) will continue to receive these benefits for a period set by Work Force Qalipu.
Targeted Wage Subsidy Program
Helps aboriginals prepare for, obtain, and maintain full-time new employment. It provides monetary incentives for employers to hire individuals who they may not consider hiring in the absence of a subsidy. Both native and non-native businesses/organizations are eligible to apply as employers, but the employee applicant must be a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band.
Graduate Incentive Program
The Graduate Incentive Program provides financial assistance to graduates of a Qalipu funded training program looking for employment. Incentives for graduates and employers include:
- a lump sum bonus to the graduates upon hiring
- income support for job shadowing
- wage subsidies
Qualified graduates must:
- have completed training no longer than two years prior to the application date
- not have worked in the field of study for more than four consecutive weeks since graduation
Employment applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Is the application complete?
- Are funds available?
- Is the applicant employed or unemployed?
- Is the applicant occupational ready? (an individual who has previous training that is still required in the Labour Market and the person has been working with that training within the past 3–5 years)
- Has the applicant been sponsored financially by an organization in the last five years?
- What is the Labour Market Demand based on FNI database of previously funded interventions?
- What is the broader Labour Market assessment?
- What is the date of the application?
Aboriginal Companies: Opportunity Knocks
At Work Force Qalipu emphasis is on building partnerships within the private, public and non-profit sectors to provide opportunities and training that leads to employment for our members. We will be working closely with industry leaders in the province’s up and coming projects including recently announced growth in the Oil & Gas and Hydroelectric sectors. These industries will drive the economy in our Province for the next number of years and each agreement includes a Diversity Agreement which requires all partners to hire a proportional number people from underrepresented groups including Aboriginal Groups. These employers and contractors are looking at doing business with Aboriginal companies and they are looking to the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation to provide information on those companies; that’s where you come in.
Please provide us with some detailed information on your business so that we can add you to our growing list of Aboriginal companies in this province and we can work together to grow your business opportunities. Partnerships are the key to growth in our province, our region and most importantly our aboriginal community. Download form here.
Keith Goulding, Director