Myth: “We Can’t Find Indigenous candidates.”
- What Employers Get Wrong
By Steve Bonspiel In collaboration with Fuze HR Solutions
Employers sometimes mistakenly think hiring Indigenous workers come with unique benefits, such as somehow saving them taxes or fees or other worker-related “extras,” but this is not reality. Sure, some programs exist to help your company to hire an on-reserve or off-reserve employee (these programs are applicable to where the employee lives), but it is important to be diligent and not to believe hearsay, rumours and the ignorance that make that hire seem easier (or harder).
Some employers believe hiring an Indigenous (Native, Metis or Inuit) worker is not worth the hassle because of the unknowns. But this is the wrong way to look at a population that is growing fast, more educated than ever, and eager to tackle many different jobs, if given a chance.
Besides, you can learn from them, their unique backgrounds, experiences and cultures, which will only serve to diversify your business while attracting other qualified workers through word of mouth.
In the past, the problem has been trusting the process of hiring Indigenous workers due to unfamiliarity (especially in a city like Montreal), but, like any population, you will find a wide range of skill sets, challenges, drawbacks, but most importantly, rewards.
And you will be doing your civic duty as part of the reconciliation process, as we live side by side and try to help each other to thrive for many years to come.
Various programs catered towards strengthening Indigenous employment are employee-driven – in other words, if you’re interested in a worker, or they approach you for a job (even if you’re not hiring at that time), they can bring their own funding, so to speak.
Cities across Canada have programs that help to pay or fully pay for Indigenous employees for up to six months (with possible extensions of up to a year) and these include programs like the Quebec Native Women Inc, which prioritizes under-employed or unemployed women.
Some Native communities have their own programs as well and can include funding for city employment, depending on the job.
Not all programs are strictly driven by employees, however, and forming a good relationship with economic development organizations on and off-reserve related to Indigenous employment means opening up a new potential that helps Indigenous people to secure employment, and your company to save money.
It’s important to check what programs exist in your area, but also to reach out to Indigenous communities for potential partnerships – they provide the workforce, you provide the experience, and both benefit from working together.
There is a burgeoning population right next door to your business, one that has not been fully tapped into by off-reserve employers; a population that could be a long-term solution for any company, if given the guidance, support and understanding, but most importantly, the chance.
Understanding what you’re missing and taking the time to learn about people you don’t know means opening up to an untapped resource that will yield many gems.