Human Resource Development
PMC assisted a First Nation in developing a 5-year Human Resources (HR) Strategy that responded to the economic and social Vision for their community. The work included an HR Audit of various HR policies and practices. PMC then assisted with implementing a number of the recommendations in the strategy: an employee engagement survey; a competency framework for managers; a training and development plan; a competency framework for all employees; creating a non-discriminatory selection process; and a new annual review process.
Indigenous agreement holders deliver Indigenous training and other labour market programs to their clients through an arrangement with Employment and Social Development Canada. PMC assisted one such agency serving a population of 18,000 with the development of a strategic plan that will help guide and focus the organization’s activities in the coming years as it transitions its service delivery model to one that emphasizes partnerships and demand-based funding.
The Environment Department of a Tribal Council had an increasingly complex mandate, and a need to closely coordinate its activities with multiple stakeholders and levels of government. PMC assisted the department in the development of a 5 year strategic plan.
PMC was selected to provide a customized corporate-wide Leadership Development Program (LDP) for a Crown Corporation owned by the Government of Nunavut. The program was customized and delivered for approximately 40 leaders.
PMC worked with the Youth Coordinator and her staff in a First Nation of 1300 residents to deliver a program of team building and leadership coaching. The program was designed to help align the team to achieve a renewed and energetic mandate of program development and coordination.
PMC is assisting the leadership and administrative management of a First Nation to prepare the organization to assume the responsibilities associated with the eventual operations of its new village. The comprehensive work includes the establishment of an effective governance framework, creation of standard operating policies and procedures, drafting of job descriptions, and conducting job-specific training needs analysis. As well, a 10-module leadership development program was delivered to elected officials to build capacity in a wide range of core competencies: representation, facilitation, decision-making, policy-making, negotiating, financial management and much more.
When the Director General of a First Nation announced his retirement after 25 years in the position, PMC was asked by the Chief to assist Council in structuring and implementing an objective and transparent process for recruiting and selecting the best candidate for the position.
Council Coaching and Portfolio Management
In many Indigenous communities, the elected councillors each have one or more portfolios for which they are responsible, such as economic development, housing, social development, etc. PMC has been assisting councillors in one community to effectively manage and report on their portfolios through active coaching as well as the creation of templates and tools.
Recreation and Sports Leadership
One of PMC’s consultants is a former director of Ottawa’s best known municipal recreational centres and a leadership instructor and coach. PMC worked with the Director of Recreation and the Sports Complex Manager in one First Nation community in an ongoing program of leadership development and an action plan for enhanced activity programming. The program included site tours of municipal facilities in the Ottawa area, and a review of best practices.
Finance and Budgeting Training
PMC provided training on Finance and Budget Development to all managers in the Cree Nation of Wemindji and for Justice and Corrections Officers in CRA’s Department of Justice.
Standing Offer for Training – Nunavut
PMC has a Standing Offer with the Government of Nunavut to deliver a wide variety of courses in the areas of Supervisory Skills, Communications and Career Development. Courses are being delivered in Iqaluit as well as Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet.
Skills Development Workshops
PMC has delivered many workshops to Indigenous organizations and communities, including the following:
National Association of Friendship Centres |
Teambuilding |
Mohawk Council of Kahnawake |
Better Writing for Business and Meetings |
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada |
Proofreading and Editing |
Kativik Regional Government |
- Techniques for the Occasional Trainer
- Practical Time and Workload Management
- Leading Teams and Performance Management from a distance
- Personal Effectiveness through Interpersonal Awareness
- Practical Time and Workload Management
- Stress Management Skills
|
Timiskaming First Nation |
Conducting Effective Performance Appraisals |
Cree Nation of Waskaganish |
The Outstanding Administrative Assistant |
Cree Nation of Waswanipi |
Assertiveness and Conflict Resolution |
Cree Nation of Wemindji |
Managing for Superior Results I |
Cree Board of Health |
Teambuilding |
Grant and Proposal Writing
PMC assisted an Indigenous agreement holder to prepare a comprehensive submission for a five-year labour market funding program managed by Employment and Social Development Canada.
A First Nation had a need to deliver training to the employees in its administration but did not have the necessary funds. PMC assisted in preparing a successful submission to AANDC to address the skills gaps identified, and then delivered the training to the managers and employees.
Standing Offer for Training – Nunavut
PMC has a multi-year Standing Offer with the Government of Nunavut to deliver a wide variety of courses in the areas of Supervisory Skills, Communications and Career Development. Courses are being delivered in Iqaluit as well as many of the smaller communities such as Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet.
Database Development and Support
PMC developed a labour pool database for a First Nations organization in Northwestern Ontario to support Indigenous employment for a major infrastructure project. Candidates can register and identify their experience and interest in various job roles, making it easier for employers to find, train, and hire First Nations employees. PMC is now enhancing the original database to create a functionality for job postings, job application and a resume builder.
Concurrent with running a pre-employment program in Baker Lake, Nunavut, PMC helped the community establish The Abluqta Society, a thrift shop social enterprise. It offers much-needed services such as affordable, gently-used clothing and toys, and a food bank. Volunteers and employees alike gain valuable skills and experience as a direct result of their involvement with the Society. PMC mentored the founding members of the Society in establishing a committed board of directors, adequate rental space, and applying for charitable status and funding. In November 2019, PMC was instrumental in securing a five-year, $500,000 grant from Agnico Eagle Mines, as well as two commercial sewing machines from outside the region that will enable community members to fulfill sewing contracts and further develop their skills.
Creating Wrap-Around Supports for Career Development
PMC is currently supporting an Indigenous Organization in Northern Ontario whose member communities have a major electrification infrastructure project in their territories. The project provides the opportunity for employment in direct construction, as well as support jobs. The organization recognized that they needed a strategic approach to maximize the potential for their members, businesses and communities.
PMC developed a wrap-around support approach for the organization. This “Pathways to Employment” approach is customized for the specific needs of the participating communities and meets the community members ‘where they are‘ in their capabilities. Supports, uniquely designed for the employee, help them pursue rewarding careers on the project.
PMC has designed the overall program, including supports (Pre-Employment Training, Land-Based Healing) and governance systems required. To provide additional capability PMC is also providing ongoing HR supports to help navigate through the complexities that the project brings.
Organizational Design – Creating a Skilled Workers Association
A First Nations organization in Northern Ontario recognized an opportunity to help its members gain long term, high skilled and high paying careers through the pursuit of apprenticeships. The organization recognized that their members would require support to achieve the apprentice qualifications and so tasked PMC with identifying the best approach and design for creating an Indigenous Skilled Workers Association.
Through in-depth research, expert interviews and consultations, PMC developed the recommended approach for creating the Association.
PMC was tasked by Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation to conduct research to identify and recommend wrap-around support programs to help Inuit children succeed in school. The research team identified 87 programs for evaluation from within Inuit Nunangat, elsewhere in Canada, and various other countries with significant Indigenous populations. To augment the research, community consultations were conducted in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay. All programs were evaluated through the lens of eight selection criteria to identify the ones which best supported school success. The screening process identified nine programs that were recommended for expansion or implementation within Nunavut.