Funding will be used to develop and carry out an Inuit mentoring program and increase representation across the sector
Iqaluit – Fisheries are at the heart of Inuit communities across Nunavut. In recent decades, it has grown into a cornerstone economic sector for the territory, providing jobs in communities both onshore and offshore. Since 2004, the Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium (NFMTC) has facilitated training and skills development for Inuit to take advantage of these opportunities.
Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor, announced an investment of $857,950 towards program expansion at NFMTC. This investment will allow the organization to develop a mentoring curriculum, train Inuit mentors and mentees, and evaluate their Business Management certificate program which is being co-developed with the Marine Institute and Nunavut Arctic College.
The mentoring curriculum will support educational opportunities for workers to gain new skills and help them build careers. The results of this initiative will promote economic reconciliation through increased Inuit representation in managerial and technical positions on vessels and on land. In turn, these new professional opportunities will contribute to the economic growth of Nunavut communities.
“Our government is proud to be supporting education and training opportunities in Nunavut’s fishing and marine industries. The mentorship programming offered by the NFMTC will help train the next generation of Inuit fishers, who will lead their industry to new successes while generating new economic growth for themselves, their families and their communities.” – Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor