Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. I would like to use this time to speak about the important work the Yellowknives Dene First Nation are doing to enhance skills and employment for members in Ndilo and Detah.
Through strategic planning, the YKDFN have identified gaps and areas of need for skills development. Mr. Speaker, both of YKDFN's Community Readiness Plan and their Labour Force Development Strategy analyze local job market and skill gaps for Members in Ndilo, Detah, and Yellowknife. These studies demonstrate a need for skills development and education upgrading in these communities. Approximately 46.6 per cent of residents in Ndilo and Dettah have a high school diploma, which is below the territorial average of 73.6 per cent. As well, Mr. Speaker, employment rates in Ndilo and Dettah are very low. As is the case in most of the small communities.
Mr. Speaker, YKDFN's solution is a locally delivered skills training to employment program that offers job counselling, personal counselling, targeted skills training, and work integrated training opportunities, all while retaining important connections to culture and tradition. The program, Dechita Naowo, is an upgraded version of a skills development program already delivered by YKDFN's Wellness Department that was successful in moving members from training to employment.
The Dechita Naowo program is an implementation of recommendations outlined in our Labour Force Development Strategy. Dechita Naowo also closely aligns with the GNWT's Skills 4 Success initiative. For instance, goal one of Skills 4 Success is to increase skill levels through relevant education and training. Dechita Naowo has built-in training programs and educational upgrading programs that prepare members to work in emerging jobs in the NWT. Dechita Naowo aligns with goal two of Skills 4 Success through bridging employment gaps through targeted supports by developing targeted training programs. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. By developing targeted training programs to participants that are based on needs of the industry. As well, information about Dechita Naowo participants will be tracked and maintained in YKDFN's labour force database. YKDFN will be able to better monitor their labour force and develop skills training that align with labour market trends. There is alignment between Skills 4 Success, YKDFN's Labour Force Strategy, and the Dechita Naowo program, but there is little synergy between the strategies to implement local skills development. The YKDFN have worked very hard to strategically identify and find solutions to these local skills gaps. Thank you Mr. Speaker
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
