Canada is one of the fastest growing economies in the G8, but the availability of a trained workforce is key to sustaining this growth. Many sectors estimate a shortfall of workers, particularly in the skilled and knowledge-oriented sectors. At this time, Canada is also experiencing an Aboriginal baby boom. And the unemployment rate among Aboriginal people in Canada is nearly three times as high as the Canadian average.
More and more businesses, academics, governments and organizations are looking to the current and future Aboriginal labour pool as one important answer to some of the pressing labour market questions in this country.
The Aboriginal Human Resource Council (AHRC) was formed in 1998 as a private-public non-profit organization with a mandate to address Aboriginal labour market issues on a national level. The need for such an organization was outlined in the report on the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. The AHRC receives the majority of its infrastructure funding from the Sector Council program at HRSDC, and leverages additional funds from a variety of sources to develop programs, services and initiatives with partners. The AHRC is a Member of the Alliance of Sector Councils (TASC).
AHRC’s mission statement is “to see full participation of Aboriginal people in Canadian labour markets. Through unique partnerships with corporate, education, government and Aboriginal leaders, the AHRC pioneers new ways to increase skills and training opportunities for Aboriginal people.” AHRC creates partnerships at all levels and across all sectors of the economy.