Report identifies 10 ways to attract, retain more Aboriginal peoples in the work force

Aboriginals under the age of 30 are the fastest-growing segment of Canada’s workforce, and a new report, titled "Widening the Circle: Increasing Opportunities for Aboriginal People in the Workplace," concludes that companies need to change their hiring practices to boost job opportunities. The report from professional services firm Deloitte outlines 10 ways firms can re-examine hiring. “Widening the Circle: Increasing opportunities for Aboriginal people n the workplace” found that there needs to be a long-term commitment to building better relationships with Aboriginal people, including greater collaboration, training, accommodation and cultural understanding. The report comes on the heels of a series of roundtable sessions that were held in 9 cities across Canada last year, and offers 10 recommendations on how firms can increase opportunities for Aboriginal people in the workforce including partner with high schools, colleges and universities; provide students with internships to give them training and experience; question standard job requirements; review screening, hiring, and advancement practices to recognize unconventional talent and cultural differences; conduct company-wide cultural training; hire more than one Aboriginal person; promote Aboriginal people to senior roles; assess business and employment practices that could provide barriers to Aboriginal people; develop an Aboriginal hiring and retention strategy, and communicate and celebrate successes. Globe and Mail | Report