Publications

2025 Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program: Construction Craft Worker & Cement Finisher

Are you interested in gaining experience in the skilled trades? Contact us to inquire more about our Construction Craft Worker Training Program. We will be including Cement finishing as a secondary trade.

Resources:

• CCW/CF Poster
• LIUNA Poster

Program  Details:

• Orientation and Soft Skill Training - June 23rd to July 4th, 2025
• CCW/CF Training - July 7th - September 12th, 2025

Pre-requisite:

• High school diploma or high school transcript verifying grade 10 math

Application:

Construction Craft Worker & Cement Finisher Application

Application Deadline:

• Application deadline June 13th, 2025
  

For furthering questions & inquiries please contact:

Project Coordinator

Jordan.Rousselle@aets.org

(807) 346-0307 ext 216

Resources

• Wellness Poster
• Brochure
• Power Point Presentation
• Book an Appointment

Applications

Are open and ongoing and will include a scheduled appointment in Suite 210 at 250 Park Ave (behind Dilico Health Centre on Court Street). 

• AETS Client Information Form
• Participant Information Form
• Employer Information Form

AETS & Wellness Staff:

• Emily McCauley, Job Developer

  • Emily is the Job Developer for the Wellness Opportunities Initiative at Anishinabek Employment and Training Services. She resides in Thunder Bay, north of Lake Superior, and is a member of Kiashke Zaaging Anishinabek, signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty. Emily holds a diploma in Native Child and Family Services from Confederation College in Thunder Bay. She is currently pursuing her HBSW and has gained valuable experience working with First Nations peoples and their service providers. Emily has valuable knowledge and experience in the mental health and addictions field, as well as the Indigenous labor market. Her career focus is to collaborate with Indigenous communities and individuals to achieve their socioeconomic goals. Emily places high importance on cultural values and enjoys spending time with her family.

• Teegan Hardy, Employment Advisor

  • Teegan is the Employment Advisor at Anishinabek Employment and Training Services. She is a proud member of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, she was born and raised in Thunder Bay. Teegan is currently pursuing her studies in Indigenous Learning and English at Lakehead University through an online program. With a diverse professional background in sales, finance, and the automotive industry, she has developed strong problem-solving skills, active listening abilities, and adaptability to various environments. She is deeply passionate about her cultural heritage, viewing it as a lifelong journey that continuously inspires and educates her. In her personal time, she enjoys outdoor activities that create lasting memories in nature and cherishing moments spent with her family.

• Sandi Erickson, Life Skills Officer

  • Sandi is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in Corrections. With 18 years' experience as a Correctional Officer, she has demonstrated a track record of success in delivering high-quality work and exceeding expectations. Sandi is known for her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams. She is passionate about joining the Anishinabek Employment and Training Services team as a Life Skills Officer and continuously seeks opportunity for growth and development. With a proactive and solution-oriented approach, Sandi is dedicated to achieving excellence in all she does. When I'm not working you can find her exploring Thunder Bay Trails, experimenting with new recipes, or buried in a good book. 

Hours of operation and parking:

• Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm by scheduled appointment in Suite 210 at 250 Park Avenue:
  • Monday:
    • Call 807-698-5611 to enter 251 Red River Road wheel chair accessible door access or 250 Park Avenue rear AETS door 
  • Tuesday:
    • Call 807-698-5611 to enter 251 Red River Road wheel chair accessible door access or 250 Park Avenue rear AETS door
  • Wednesday:   
    • Call 807-698-5611 to enter 251 Red River Road wheel chair accessible door access or 250 Park Avenue rear AETS door, 
    • or enter 251 Red River Road wheel accessible door access at 11 am 
  • Thursday:  
    • Call 807-698-5611 to enter 251 Red River Road wheel chair accessible door access or 250 Park Avenue rear AETS door,
    • or enter 251 Red River Road wheel accessible door access at 11 am 
  • Friday:   
    • Call 807-698-5611 to enter 251 Red River Road wheel chair accessible door access or 250 Park Avenue rear AETS door,
    • or enter 251 Red River Road wheel accessible door access at 11 am 
• Free Parking at:
  • 250 Park Avenue outside rear AETS door, in 2 marked AETS Parking Spots
  • Parking Lot next to Silk & Cedar (275 Park Avenue), in 2 marked AETS Parking Spots
  • Parking Lot behind Waverley Library off Park Avenue in Parking Spots 26 & 27

Community Resources:

• Mental Health Support

  • • Call 211 or visit the 211 North Website
    • Call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 or visit the ConnexOntario website
    • See below for supports and services in Thunder Bay and District

• Disclaimer

  AETS does not provide acute crisis or mental health services or counselling.  If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis:

  • Call 911
  • Call the suicide crisis helpline at 988 for calls and texts in both English and French, 24/7.
  • Visit your nearest emergency department
    • (807) 684-6100 (in Thunder Bay)
  • Contact Crisis Response
    • Thunder Bay: Call or text 807-346-8282
    • District of Thunder Bay: 1-866 888 8988
      
      

Funding for the initiative is provided by Employment and Social Development Canada through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. 

Education Course (Grade 11 Interdisciplinary Studies)

ON-Reserve Survey

VISION

Our vision is to collaborate and develop, prototype, and measure the impacts of the education to employment system, and how specific contributing factors within those systems pose as a primary barrier to high school graduation rates and employment opportunities for Indigenous youth ages 15-25 years.

Once impacts are determined, it is imperative to focus on providing youth with the guidance and resources necessary to overcome challenges, complete their high school education, and help them embark on a path towards a successful future. This will be done by deeply rooting and continuously integrating Anishinaabe values and culture throughout their development. We aim to nurture their personal growth while preserving their cultural heritage.

Our vision extends beyond high school graduation to encompass comprehensive support for youth, including access to meaningful employment opportunities and continuous professional development. By facilitating connections between youth and the working world, youth will then apply their cultural knowledge, skills, and perspectives, empowering them to achieve their career aspirations while maintaining a strong connection to their ancestral traditions.

COLLABORATORS

The six-year innovation involves the essential participation of the following individuals, groups, and organizations to enhance the 60% non-graduation rates and future employment prospects of Anishinaabe youth served in the nine First Nation communities of AETS:

STRATEGIES

A fundamental shift is required to meet the needs of Anishinaabe youth and is necessary to change the education-to-employment system into one that is supportive, accessible, and engaging. The collaborators involved will assist and support the youth by integrating the following strategies for the remainder of the project:

•   Engage 15–18-year-old youth currently enrolled high school students in a process of consultation and decision of how they want teachers to work with them
•  
•   Engage 19–25-year-old youth who left high school without a diploma in a process of consultation for a re-entry summer employment program including credit earning opportunities and skills development
•  
•   Develop and deliver a plan with affiliated communities, high schools, and teachers
•  
•   Integrate exposures and opportunities to explore future employment, employment training, and future education possibilities

Empowering Indigenous youth to assume leadership roles and take ownership of their educational and employment pathways to success holds immense significance. Their unique perspectives, cultural knowledge, and connection to their lands are vital in shaping inclusive systems that meet their needs. By assuming responsibility, Indigenous youth inspire future generations, foster self-determination, and empower their communities. We can recognize them as:

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK

In the beginning two years of the innovation, recognizing the vital importance of laying the groundwork and involving all collaborators, including stakeholders, youth, and the communities served, becomes the cornerstone for accurately assessing and executing the project plan. This initial collaborative effort ensures a comprehensive understanding of the youth's needs, enabling the development of a tailored plan that addresses those needs effectively.

LOOKING AHEAD

Once the groundwork has been established, a crucial next step involves examining the compiled and analyzed data, along with the recommendations and perspectives gathered from the youth and their communities. This valuable information will be shared and deliberated amongst collaborators and will then serve as the basis for identifying pathways connecting education and employment opportunities for the youth involved. Thus, leading into a more developed and tailored action plan for each individual community for the remainder of the innovation.

This initiative will provide various opportunities and benefits for youth and their respective communities:

• Capacity development of a representative group of First Nation high school students
• Capacity development of a representative group of First Nation youth that have left high school before completing an OSSD
• Summer employment opportunities connected to key business and industry sectors in the territory
• The professional development of high school educators (grades 9 through 12) working with students
• Formative and summative research that gathers evidence of improved high school graduation and employment outcomes

STEPS TAKEN

Anishinabek Employment & Training Services is pleased to offer The Vera Shaganash Seven Sacred Teachings Award.  Inspired by the memory of Elder Vera Shaganash of Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg, who was an active member of the AETS Elder In-Residence Program from 2018-2019 prior to her passing on November 11, 2019, in White River ON.  Vera saw the potential in our youth and felt the importance of recognizing and acknowledging their good efforts.

Award Committee

We are seeking one (1) Elder from each of the nine AETS Communities to join an Awards Committee that will assist our team in selecting the youth recipients of this prestigious award of recognition. We will be meeting in September to introduce all members of the Award Committee and select award recipients from the nominations received.

Forms

Nomination Form

Photographic Release Form

Media

Vera Shaganash Seven Sacred Teachings Award Poster

Call out for Elders Poster

From getting a phone to finding a job, learn how to apply by clicking

What do you need to do before and during the project?

How to Apply?

Step 1:  Prepare by completing and submitting the Eligibility Checklist Form.

Please complete and submit the Eligibility Checklist Form to AETS.  Click here to find the Eligibility Checklist Form.  Please submit the completed form to AETS at aets@aets.org .  A formal Application Review of the submitted eligibility forms will be completed within one week of a submission, which may include verification with the Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board.  If approved by AETS, you could start Step 2.

Step 2:  As part of the process, complete and submit the following Client Registration Form and two Agreements.

After being notified by an AETS Officer, please complete and submit the following documents:

• Client Registration Form:  Click here to find Client Registration Form
• Job Seekers Club Agreement:  Click here to find Job Seekers Club Agreement
• Cell Phone Loan Agreement:  Click here to find Cell Phone Loan Agreement
• Thunder Bay Public Library Card Application:  Click here to find Library Card Application, which you can use in the AETS Office for accessing computer workstations and more.
  • With a free Thunder Bay Public Library Card, you gain access to all the offerings of the Thunder Bay Public Library.   It includes over 3,334 eMagazine titles through the Libby app.  Checkout as many titles as you want with no holds or restrictions. Unlimited renewals mean you can keep them as long as you'd like.  eMagazines are downloaded automatically for your convenience enabling offline reading.  Click here for more information.

Please submit the completed form to the applicable AETS Lead Officer and Systems Officer, who will process the forms along with a free co-branded Thunder Bay Public Library & AETS library card and work with the Job Seeker to ensure the Cell Phone is ready for pick up and escorted to the TBPL for pick up arrangements.

Step 3:  Phone service activation.

How Does the Project Work?

AETS will provide cell phone service activation (including 500 free daytime minutes* and other below referenced provisions) with an approved Job Seeker, in co-operation with Touch Unwired and tbaytel.  The Thunder Bay Public Library - Waverley Community Hub will store and loan out each of the cellular phones, upon receipt of the completed Cell Phone Loan Agreement with the assistance of the AETS Officer.  The following is part of the expectations of the AETS Job Seeker recieving a cell phone:

• Weekly follow up with AETS Officer
• Bi-weekly surveys
• Utilize the Employer Tracking Form as required
• Review task reminders
• Return cell phone at the end of the up to 3 month loan agreement.

              *  Approved clients on this project, are responsible for paying any overages.

Monitoring

AETS's applicable Officer will be monitoring the Job Seekers utilization of this project, based on the Job Seekers Club Agreement and utilization feedback.
Note:  As this is a pilot project, it will be evaluated in Spring 2021 for purposes of determining an extension and/or expansion.

Mobile Phone Model and the tbaytel Package

What kind of mobile phone would I get?

The phone that will be used for this project is a 16GB iPhone SE, please click here to find more information about iPhone SE.

What services are included in the tbaytel package?

Calling minutes: Limited to 500 daytime minutes, after 6 pm and  on weekends unlimited calling available.

Wi-Fi: Access to any tbaytel Wi-Fi hotspots thoughout the city to access data.