Winnipeg, MB - A City of Winnipeg human resource management program was recognized by the Human Resource Management Association of Manitoba (HRMAM) at the Excellence in Leadership Awards on Wednesday, April 9, 2014.
The City received the organizational award for Workforce Planning and Talent Management for its highly successful and widely recognized Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak (OAN), which is the spirit name gifted to the City’s Aboriginal Youth Strategy by Elders in Winnipeg’s Aboriginal community. The spirit name means, “Young Aboriginal People Leading.”
“Winnipeg is home to the largest urban Aboriginal population in Canada,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “The City of Winnipeg is committed to helping young Aboriginals gain employment and training opportunities, as well as access to recreation and leadership opportunities. I’m pleased to see the City of Winnipeg’s successes with Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak acknowledged.”
As an example of workforce planning and talent management, the City’s Primary Care Paramedic training program, announced on November 5, 2013 is currently training 16 Aboriginal young adults.
In 2011, within the civic paramedic workforce, 14 of 269 paramedics (just over five per cent) were Aboriginal. If all training program participants were to obtain positions with the City, the Aboriginal representation within the Emergency Medical Services component of the Fire Paramedic Service would be doubled, resulting in a more diverse workforce reflective of the community it serves.
The City credits success of the Paramedic training program to a holistic approach taken by OAN, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and a number of community partners.
“In order to increase successful outcomes for participants in the paramedic training program, a ‘wrap around’ training model was devised in which students were provided with all the supports they may require throughout the duration of the training, “ said Rhonda Forgues, Manager of Aboriginal Relations. “This included engaging a full-time program coordinator, instituting a participant training allowance, access to Elders and other family supports, on-site study groups, and access to instructors and cultural training and teachings.”
Adopted by City Council in 2008, OAN is an innovative strategy to support Aboriginal youth in accessing positive recreational, learning, wellness and employment opportunities in the community and in the Winnipeg Public Service.
Investing in opportunities for Aboriginal youth ensures the City of Winnipeg is laying a solid foundation to build a stronger tomorrow.