New Career Centre Launches at First Nations University of Canada

The First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) has inaugurated a new career centre in partnership with the Co-Operators, aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for its students. Located on the mezzanine of the university, this facility will provide essential services such as resume writing, mock interviews, and access to various employment and internship opportunities.

Callie Morris, the newly appointed manager of the career centre and a former FNUniv student, expressed her enthusiasm for the role. “When I was a student, we didn’t really have a dedicated person helping students with that employment opportunity,” she noted. Morris emphasized the importance of having a focused resource available to assist students as they navigate the job market. “Having someone dedicated allows students to reach out as opposed to feeling lost,” she added.

Connecting Students with Employers

The new career centre is set to benefit both students and employers. Nathaniel Merasty, president of the FNUniv Regina Students’ Association, highlighted how the facility will serve as a vital link. “It gives them a tool to connect our students to employers,” he remarked, explaining that it creates a central network for potential job opportunities.

According to Jackie Ottmann, president of FNUniv, the centre will help students explore various sectors of employment. “This career centre will be a bridge between the university and the workforce,” she stated. Ottmann further emphasized that it will assist in identifying opportunities such as summer employment, co-op placements, and internships, all designed to enrich students’ resumes.

The initiative aligns with broader goals of empowerment and community building. “We’re all treaty people. We’re coming together to co-create, to help build a better society,” Ottmann said. “We need Indigenous peoples in our workplaces, in our students who want to be there.”

Investment in Future Workforce

The Co-Operators has committed approximately $390,000 over three years to support the development of this career centre. Alec Blundell, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Co-Operators Life Insurance, noted the dual benefits of this partnership. “This partnership is two ways. It’s helping students and making the connection to the First Nations university,” he explained.

Blundell emphasized the importance of having skilled workers close to home, mentioning the economic benefits of fostering local talent. “Having them close to home, with somewhere like the First Nations universities, is so beneficial for us and ultimately the economy,” he said.

Morris envisions the centre as a stepping stone for students, hoping it will facilitate positive outcomes for all who seek its services. “Even if one person benefited from it, I view that as a win just because that’s kind of how I approach working with students,” she said.

The establishment of the career centre at the First Nations University of Canada holds significant promise. With around 15,000 students currently enrolled, it has the potential to impact many lives, contributing to a stronger workforce and fostering reconciliation in the community.