What Is ISET Funding and Can It Pay for Your Staff Training?
BY 3-FIRES TRAINING · FUNDING & RESOURCES · 10 MIN READ
The number one reason Indigenous community workers do not get professional training is not motivation — it is money. Programs are underfunded, budgets are tight, and training is the first thing cut when resources are stretched. But there is funding specifically designed for exactly this purpose. It is called ISET, and most communities are not using all of it. Here is what you need to know.
What Is ISET?
ISET stands for the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program. It is a federal program funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and delivered through a national network of Indigenous-governed service delivery organizations. ISET was designed specifically to help Indigenous people access skills training, employment supports, and workforce development opportunities.
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What makes ISET different from other government training programs is that it is delivered through Indigenous organizations — not to Indigenous people through generic government channels. This means the people administering the funds understand your community, your context, and your goals.
Key point: ISET is not just for job seekers. It is also available to support workers and program staff who need professional training to do their jobs better — including camp managers, health and safety coordinators, lifeguards, program leads, and community workers of all kinds.
Who Delivers ISET Funding in Your Area?
ISET is not delivered directly by the federal government. It flows through a network of Agreement Holders — Indigenous organizations across Canada that have signed agreements with ESDC to administer the funding in their regions. These organizations may include:
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Tribal Councils and First Nation organizations
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Métis Nation affiliates and governance bodies
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Urban Indigenous employment centres
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Inuit regional organizations
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Indigenous Skills and Employment Training centres in your area
To find the ISET agreement holder nearest to you, visit the Employment and Social Development Canada ISET directory at canada.ca or contact your band or tribal council office — they will know who to call.
What Can ISET Pay For?
The scope of ISET funding varies by agreement holder, but in general, ISET can cover:
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Training and certification costs — registration fees, course materials, certification exam fees
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Participant wages — in some cases, wages for employees attending training during work hours
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Travel and accommodations — if training requires travel away from the community
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Childcare support — to remove barriers for participants who are parents
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Living allowances — for participants who need income support during training periods
This means that in many cases, ISET can cover not just the cost of training, but also the costs of getting your staff to training and supporting them while they are there. The funding is designed to eliminate the barriers, not just reduce them.
Can ISET Pay for 3-Fires Training?
Yes — in most cases, 3-Fires training programs are eligible for ISET funding. This includes:
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Camp & Program Management certification
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Health and Safety (2-day) certification
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National Lifeguard (NLS) certification — 4-day intensive
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Wilderness First Aid
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Canoe instruction
Because our programs result in recognized certifications — not just professional development — they align directly with what ISET is designed to fund. The key is working with your local ISET agreement holder to confirm eligibility before registering.
Important: Apply Before You Register
ISET funding is not retroactive in most cases. You cannot complete the training first and then apply for reimbursement. The process generally requires pre-approval — meaning you need to connect with your ISET provider before or at the same time as registering for training. Start the conversation early.
Other Funding Sources to Know About
ISET is not the only funding available for staff training in Indigenous communities. Depending on your community, program, and location, the following may also be relevant:
Important: Apply Before You Register
Many First Nation band councils have discretionary operational budgets that include staff development. Training for community program staff — particularly for health and safety, camp management, and aquatics — can often be approved through a band council resolution (BCR). Talk to your band administrator or program manager about what is available in the current fiscal year.
Jordan's Principle
If your program serves First Nations children and youth, Jordan's Principle may be a source of funding for training and capacity building that directly supports the delivery of services to that population. Jordan's Principle is administered through Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and can be accessed through a request submitted on behalf of a child or a group of children who would benefit from the funded service.
ISC Community Infrastructure and Capacity Funding
Indigenous Services Canada offers various funding streams for community capacity building, including training for staff who deliver health, social, and community programs. Contact your ISC regional office to understand what is available in your area.
Provincial Sport and Recreation Funding
In many provinces, Indigenous sport and recreation organizations have dedicated funding streams for training community coaches, camp leaders, and recreational program staff. In Ontario, organizations like NAIG and regional Métis and First Nations sport bodies have access to these funds. Check with your provincial Indigenous sport organization.
Foundations and Grants
Organizations like the McConnell Foundation, Inspirit Foundation, and various community foundations across Canada have funded Indigenous leadership development and community program capacity. These are competitive grants but worth pursuing for larger training initiatives.
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Approach
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Identify your ISET provider
Search for the ISET agreement holder in your region through the ESDC directory or ask your band office. Call them and ask specifically whether they can fund training for community program workers.
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Get your training details in writing
Contact Jessica at 3-Fires (jessica@3-fires.com) and ask for an official quote or invoice for the training you want. Include course name, dates, cost, and certification outcomes. Your ISET provider will need this documentation.
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Submit your application early
ISET approvals can take time. Submit your application as early as possible — ideally 4 to 6 weeks before the training date. Include all supporting documentation: the training invoice, a brief description of your role and the community program you work in, and any letters of support from your supervisor or band council.
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Confirm approval before registering
Once your ISET provider confirms funding, register for the training and let Jessica know that ISET is covering the cost. We can issue invoices directly to the funding organization and support any documentation requirements your provider has.
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Complete the training and keep your documentation
Attend, complete, and receive your certification. Keep all certificates, receipts, and records — your ISET provider may require proof of completion for final reporting, and your community may need them for future funding applications
Band and Organization Invoicing
If your band council or organization is covering the cost of training directly — without going through ISET — 3-Fires can invoice your band or organization directly. We work regularly with First Nation bands, tribal councils, Métis locals, and Indigenous non-profits. Contact Jessica at jessica@3-fires.com to set up organizational billing.
Our commitment: We never want funding to be the reason your staff do not get trained. If you are facing a genuine barrier, reach out and talk to us. We will help you find a path forward — whether that means connecting you with the right funding source, adjusting payment timelines, or exploring group training options that reduce per-person costs.
The Bottom Line
Funding for Indigenous community staff training exists. ISET alone represents hundreds of millions of dollars flowing through Indigenous organizations across Canada each year — and a significant portion of it is specifically intended for skills and certification training like the programs 3-Fires offers.
The communities that access this funding are not the ones with the biggest budgets or the most connections. They are the ones who asked the question, made the call, and started the application. That is all it takes.
Your people deserve trained, certified, confident leadership. The funding to make that happen is available. Let us help you get it.