With the baby boomers nearing retirement age and not enough people entering the workforce, companies are actively looking for ways to expand their recruitment pool and one of the groups they are working hard to attract is the Aboriginal community. As the country’s fastest growing group, the Aboriginal community is one of the greatest untapped employment resources.

Bridging the Gap

Seeing that while there were a large number of employers looking to recruit candidates from the Aboriginal community and many qualified candidates to meet the demand, these two groups just weren’t finding one another, the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council of Canada built www.inclusionnetwork.ca, a job board that would help connect the two groups.

The jobs posted on the site run the gamut from construction to administration. “But,” says Crystal Kosa, National Manager of Human Resource Strategies with the AHRDCC, “the largest number of opportunities exists in the finance, banking and technology sectors.”

How Does it Work?

Much like with other job boards, users can search the job postings on the website, create an online profile, store resumes and apply to jobs directly online. Users can also create an online job search agent to alert them when a job matching their search criteria is posted.

And, if you’re like the many people out there who is waiting to start your job search until you can get that resume in order or until you brush up on those rusty interviewing skills? Well, wait no longer, the website’s eResource section features career resources to help users write a great resume, as well as articles filled with interviewing tips and interview dos and don’ts.

Not Quite Ready to Leave School Yet?

In addition to full-time postings, the site also lists part-time opportunities, so be sure to check it out if you’re looking for a job to help you earn some extra cash while you’re in school or, of course, for a summer position.

Make sure to take a look at the Scholarship page in their eResource section for a list of scholarships in your province.

An Inclusion Network Success Story

Having grappled with exactly what it means to be Aboriginal for years, Blaine Knott was inspired to return to school to pursue a degree in Aboriginal studies. It is the understanding he gained during his degree about Aboriginal culture – its history and its traditions that made him a perfect fit for his current role at CIBC, a role, which he found on the Inclusion Network.

As both the Aboriginal Specialist and Regional Manager for Aboriginal Banking for Western Canada, Knott is responsible for all products and services relating to Aboriginal people. His expertise is called upon by different areas of the bank from investments to recruiting. Using his understanding of Aboriginal culture, Knott works to create products and services that work with and for the community. Knott’s work often takes him across Western Canada and into the North to visit Aboriginal communities to begin to build a relationship between the bank and the communities. “I saw myself in exactly this role. I just never imagined it existed in banking. I couldn’t be happier,” says Knott.

Blaine’s Advice to Students

·          Be able to sell yourself. You need to be able to see yourself in the role and to be able to communicate to the employer why you’re the right person for the job.