Indigenous Employee Training Fund

The IETF is open to Indigenous Parks Canada employees (non-PCX), who are:

• Non-PCX,
• Indeterminate (seasonal or full-time), or
• Term over 3 months.

At this time, students are not eligible to apply. 

  To ensure that employees have ample opportunity to apply for this fund, the IETF will have one launch in the Spring:

• Opens for applications on May 28th 2024
• Application deadline of June 30th 2024.

As learning is a personal journey that can take on various forms, the scope of learning activities that qualify for the IETF are broad but typically fit within the two legacy learning categories of the Fund:

In relation to the categories above, the IETF welcomes learning activities that are both informal and formal in nature. The IETF also supports a variety of resources that assist with learning objectives. Here are some examples:

• Informal: coaching, job shadowing, career aptitude assessments.
• Formal: workshops, technical and professional knowledge courses, post-secondary, experiential programs, or leadership programs.
• Resources: books, software, subscriptions, honoraria, etc.
  
  

Please note: When contemplating an activity for the IETF, learning activity options must be cost-effective

Although the IETF supports and can triage a broad spectrum of learning activities, there can be some exceptions:

• The IETF does not support or triage Mandatory Learning; training or courses that you must successfully complete for your position.
• Conferences, programming materials (e.g. props) and salary dollars are not eligible under IETF.

The IETF does not want to create any unnecessary barriers to an employees personal and professional growth. Therefor managers and/or employees are encouraged to contact the IETF team should they have any questions relating to the eligibility of a learning activity.

Here are some other important eligibility criteria you need to be aware of when applying for the IETF:

Applicants must indicate if they have received funding previously. From an equity perspective, new applicants will receive priority funding over applicants who were previously funded.

Applicants must use an order of priority system should they identify multiple learning activities. Multiple requests will only be approved should there be a surplus of funds.

Applicants must provide meaningful, clear, and cost-effective justification of the chosen learning activity. This must be inclusive of a clear cost breakdown of their learning activity and any travel funding requests.

Applicants should opt for the most economical choice of learning activity, including virtual options over in person where appropriate and where learning is similar in experience.

Applicants desired learning activity must be in Canada; international travel will not be permitted due to a variety of factors, including budget constraints.

1. Before applying, seek the support and approval of your manager. Begin the process of having a conversation about your learning aspirations. All applicants are encouraged to discuss their learning goals with their manager and draft a Learning & Development Plan with their manager, if they have not already done so.

2. Review the current IETF launch information and IETF Employee Package.

3. Complete the Indigenous Employee Training Fund Application Form. Include the following information:
   1. Applicant and supervisor/manager information.
   2. Financial information including correct coding for your directorate.
   3. Signed self-declaration form.
   4. Clear links between proposed learning activity and learning and development objectives. Learning and development plans are encouraged.
   5. Clear summary and meaningful rational of the proposed learning activity.
   6. A complete itemized cost estimate (course costs, fees, books, travel costs etc.) that is demonstrative of cost efficiency.
   7. Employee and manager/supervisor signatures and Field Unit. Superintendent/Director signature for in-person learning.

Important:  Points d, e and f are some key areas that will be assessed. Please be sure to provide clear and meaningful justification in your application.

4. Verify that your application is complete and approved by your supervisor or manager before the deadline to submit. Applications must be approved at the manager level. In-person learning activities must also be approved at the FUS/Director level. Please ensure that all documents are approved prior to submission.

5. With your manager in CC, E-mail your completed application to the IETF inbox. Keep an eye on your e-mail as you may if further information or clarifications are required. This will be a time sensitive communication!

6. A distinctions-based committee, the IETF Selection Committee, will convene to review applications and determine the allocation of funding. Once decisions have been made, successful applicants and supporting managers will be informed by email confirming full, partial or no funding.

7. A IETF representative will contact you to inform you of the status of your application. If approved, an additional GC-211 Form must be completed with relevant information such as financial coding, contact information for management and finance team members as well as details about the selected learning activity you were approved for.
8. At the end of your learning activity, you will be sent a survey. Please share your feedback about the process and its content. Your opinion is very valuable and helps us improve future IETF offers. Thank you!

Important: We encourage employees and managers to reach out to us if you need any help with the application process. We are more than happy to assist you!