Bringing Information Communications Technology

Careers to a Small MarketSTRONG 2013

Vancouver. BC

Jimmy Arnold

Jean-Marie Pelletier

Mark Taylor

May 2013

NBAICT Background• The New Brunswick Aboriginal Information and Communications

Technology (NBAICT) project is administered by the Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI).

• AWDI is the workforce development branch of the Joint Economic Development Initiative.

• NBAICT will work with partners to train 150 Aboriginal people for careers in ICT by 2014.

• NBAICT is funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s Skills Partnership Fund and the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary, Training and Labour.

NBAICT Background• NBAICT works with Industry partners to design and deliver a series of

ICT programs.• NBAICT seeks to increase ICT skills for entrepreneurship, community

college and/or university. • NBAICT seeks to match “job ready” clients with ICT employers• NBAICT has a steering committee made up of representatives form

industry, various levels of government, education reps as well as First Nation educators and directors.

The Challenge• New Brunswick only has an Aboriginal population of roughly 20,000

people. • Not many Aboriginal people in New Brunswick are aware of

opportunities within ICT.• The New Brunswick economy is small.• ICT is relatively new industry in New Brunswick, especially in Aboriginal

communities. • Many mainstream ICT companies are not experienced in working with

Aboriginals. • Class dynamics and proper selection of Instructors

The Opportunity• New Brunswick ICT employers will require at least 500 skilled ICT

professionals to fill positions by 2014. • New Brunswick’s ICT industry is growing and contributing more to the

provincial GDP.• ICT growth is offering more opportunities for ICT business startups.• The Aboriginal population in New Brunswick is younger than the

mainstream population.

Training: Partnership-driven

• Strategy to foster partnerships between our Industry partners and the students

• How?• Develop a small prototype or project with Employers• Some of our stronger students will be encouraged to pitch potential

projects.• Routine guest speakers

First Steps• Consult regularly with partners on planning and implementation of

project. • Partner on curriculum development and delivery with recognized

institution (CCNB).• Launch recruitment strategy focused on word-of-mouth and social

media promotion. • Send successful applicants to one of 6 NBAICT Orientation to ICT

courses located close to their home. • Invite Aboriginal community staff to request a partnership to locate

courses within Aboriginal communities working in partnership with that local staff.

Training: Partnership-driven

• Focus driven by need in First Nation communities and the ICT industry in general.

• Partnership with CCNB to do curriculum design and development.

• Partnership with Canadian Adult Learning Services (CALS) to provide assessments to our clients on the front end of training.

• Community colleges partnering with UNB Faculty of Computer Science for Course Credit Articulation Agreement.

Training: Criteria for the NBAICT Orientation and technical training

• Orientations:• Fill out application and

questionnaire ;• Meet with local

employment counselor; • CLAE Testing Results.

• Technical:• Orientation results (if

applicable);• One on One interview;• Prior Learning Assessment

Recognition. (if applicable)

NBACIT Orientation Program

• 12 week ICT Orientation • Workplace Essential Skills (WES): 6 weeks• ICT Technical Portion: 6 weeks

• Web Essentials, PC Repair• Job Coach/Counselor to provide support throughout.• Class size up to 25 (typical range between 15 to 25 students per

course). • We’ve completed 6 orientations averaging 15 graduates per

course.

Training: Three Focuses• 3G Cell Phone repair (1 week)

• Learn the tools required to repair various cell phones, how to disassemble & assemble different types of mobile phones, and how to repair basic and advanced camera phones.

• Desktop Support Network Support Technician/Administrator (30 weeks)• Secure, maintain and administrate community networks• Computer “super-hero”

• Mobile Application Developer (57 weeks)• Specialized training in increasingly relevant products and services

(Apple iOS, Android)

Training: Mobile Application Developer Details

• Programming Languages:• Java• JavaScript• Objective-C• SQL

• Mobile Platforms:• Apple iOS• Android

• Management• Entrepreneurship• Privacy and Security

Training: Criteria for the Mobile Application Development Training

• CCNB Testing:• Web Essentials;• A+.

• AWDI Selection:• Orientation results (if

applicable);• One on One interview.

Next Steps

• 100 people from Aboriginal communities across New Brunswick have graduated from our Orientation courses as of May 2013.

• Job placements. • Networking opportunities between NBAICT students and ICT

employers.• Matching NBAICT students in entrepreneurship with partner

programs such as the New Brunswick Launch36 business accelerator.

• Raising awareness nationally of the New Brunswick Aboriginal ICT experience.

• Planning for new opportunities after NBAICT funding concludes in 2014.

Thank you