Description

The Memorial Recognition Award honors the memory and legacy of an individual who made a lasting impact on First Nation employment and skills development. This award is given posthumously to someone whose dedications, leadership, and contributions significantly advanced opportunities for Indigenous peoples in the workforce. Nominees must have demonstrated a deep commitment to community empowerment, cultural integrity, and long-term success of Indigenous training and employment programs. Their legacy should continue to inspire current and future generations in strengthening their skills, pursuing meaningful work, and supporting the well-being and prosperity of their communities.

Requirements

** Please note that this is a posthumous award **

• Nominee will have demonstrated lasting commitment to advancing Indigenous employment and skills development.
• Nominee will have shown leadership in empowering their community through culturally grounded training and employment initiatives.
• Nominee will have contributed to long-term improvements in opportunities for Indigenous peoples to access meaningful and sustainable careers.
• Nominee's legacy will continue to inspire current and future generations in building skills, pursuing fulfilling careers, and supporting community well-being.

Criteria

Description

Women make up a small but growing percentage of trade professionals, and their success challenges stereotypes while strengthening the workforce. This award highlights their achievements and encourages greater inclusion in the trades. The Matriarch Award recognizes an outstanding woman who has demonstrated excellence, leadership, and dedication in a skilled trade profession. This award celebrates her contributions to breaking barriers, inspiring future generations, and advancing diversity in traditionally male-dominated fields. The honoree exemplifies professionalism, resilience, and a commitment to mentorship, paving the way for more women to succeed in the trades.

Requirements

• Nominees may be female, 2-spirit, transgender and/or an individual that encapsulates the meaning of "Matriarch".

• Nominees must currently be an apprentice or journeyperson with an identified skilled trade by way of ISET Program funding. 
• Nominees must demonstrate a high skill level, craftsmanship, and commitment to quality work in their trade. 
• Nominees must actively support and encourage other women in the trades through various means such as mentorship, advocacy, and community involvement. 
• Nominees will have shown resilience in facing and overcoming challenges related to gender bias or industry obstacles.
• Nominees will have made significant contributions to their trade, whether through innovation, safety improvements, or raising industry standards.
• Nominees must demonstrate participation in outreach, education, or initiatives that promote women in trades.

Criteria

Description

The Visionary Award honors projects that embody excellence in creating broader, transformative change, both for the individual participants and the wider community. The winning project will have demonstrated measurable success in its core mission while also sparking ripple effects, such as policy shifts, cultural awareness, economic benefits, or inspired action in other communities. We seek initiatives that go beyond ‘employment and training' to leave a lasting legacy.

Requirements

- Projects that are currently in operation, have been completed, or are close to completion, as of September 1, 2025, are eligible. 

- Projects lead/developed/implemented by an ISET First Nation Agreement Holder. 

- Projects that have had significant positive outcomes for participants as well as broad-reaching community and/or societal impact. 

Criteria

Description

The Rising Star Award recognizes a client who has achieved greatness in excelling in their studies or overcome obstacles or challenges during their life's journey to reach their educational and career goals. During this time this person has shown growth, resilience and dedication, not only to his or her own personal growth, but to others as well. This person has played a leadership role outside of the classroom by assisting and supporting other students' successes.

Requirements

• Nominee will have excelled within their education and career while overcoming challenges.
• Nominee will have shown commitment to educational and career development.
• Nominee must demonstrate how their leadership skills have supported others.

Criteria

Description

The Trailblazer Award celebrates an outstanding young person between the ages of 16 and 29, who is currently employed with an ISET Agreement Holder Organization and has demonstrated exceptional initiative, leadership, and dedication. This award recognizes a youth who is not only committed to their own growth and success but who actively inspires and supports others in their community. The recipient will have shown the courage to break new ground, overcome barriers, and create pathways that others can follow all while upholding the values, strengths, and cultural foundations of their Nation. Their actions reflect a strong sense of responsibility, vision, and community-mindedness, making them a role model for all generations.

Requirements

- The Trailblazer will be between the ages of 16 and 29 inclusively. 

- The Trailblazer will have exemplified outstanding initiative, strong leadership, and unwavering dedication in their role with an ISET Agreement Holder organization.

- The Trailblazer will have demonstrated the courage to forge new paths, overcome significant obstacles, and pave the way for others to follow.

- The Trailblazer is not only dedicated to their own growth and success, but also actively inspires and supports others in their community, serving as a role model for peers and future generations.

- The Trailblazer's actions demonstrate a deep sense of responsibility, clear vision, and strong community spirit, while also honoring the values, strengths, and cultural foundations of their Nation.

Criteria

Description

The Gamechanger Award honors organizations that are revolutionizing workforce development through innovative, inclusive, and impactful training and employment practices. This award celebrates those who are not just meeting the needs of today's job seekers and employers but are also shaping the future of work. Whether through pioneering new models, addressing systemic barriers, or achieving measurable outcomes, these organizations are true gamechangers in their field.

Requirements

• Nominees will have spearheaded transformative practices that challenge traditional workforce practices and lead creative solutions to longstanding challenges in employment or training.
• Nominees must provide evidence of program success, such as employment outcomes, retention rates, wage growth, or skills acquisition, and sustained improvement extending beyond short-term outcomes.
• Nominee will have successfully empowered individuals to go above and beyond in their work.
• Nominee will have inspired positive change across the system such as influencing policy, practices, or partnerships.

Criteria

Description

The Gamechanger Champion Award recognizes a standout individual whose leadership, passion, and innovative approach have significantly advanced training and employment services. This award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond in transforming lives, opening doors to opportunity, and setting new standards for excellence in workforce development. These are the changemakers—employment officers, job coaches, trainers, and frontline professionals—who bring heart, strategy, and dedication to their work every day. Through their efforts, they not only empower individuals to thrive in the labor market but also inspire positive change across the system.

Requirements

• Nominee must have successfully empowered individuals going above and beyond in their work.
• Nominee must showcase how they have inspired positive change across the system such as influencing practices, or partnerships.
• Nominee must demonstrate how they have meaningfully engaged with partners or community members to enhance opportunities for participants.
• Nominee must demonstrate passion, commitment, and leadership within the employment and training space.

Criteria

Description

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the significant contributions and achievements throughout a person's career or life in the realm of employment and training. This person is a leader who has the ability to positively influence and motivate others to succeed. This person has shown dedication, not only beneficial to themselves, but to their community. This person inspires others to overcome adversity and pursue their best lives through their endless work and support of those around them.

Requirements

• Nominee must demonstrate lasting commitment to advancing Indigenous employment and skills development.
• Nominee must demonstrate how they showed leadership in empowering their community through culturally grounded training and employment initiatives.
• Nominee must have contributed to long-term improvements in opportunities for Indigenous peoples to access meaningful and sustainable careers.
• Nominee's legacy continue to inspire current and future generations in building skills, pursuing fulfilling careers, and supporting community well-being.

Criteria