Aboriginal job seekers, in general, have received a poor quality of education. Participant E pointed out, “We have grade twelve graduates that we’ve tested, and they’re reading at a grade seven level.” Participant F provided further specific details: “Thirty-seven people started a GED prep course… eighteen took the test … one got their certification.”
Few Aboriginal job seekers are able to personally commit to the long-term process needed to achieve success. The labour market is almost non existent for Aboriginal job seekers in rural and northern Manitoba. As well as a lack of jobs, there is also a lack of training and resources. As Participant C stated, “We’re trying to fit people into this little square.” Participant F added, “Specialized skills for [clients with] learning disabilities.… We can’t help him any further; that’s beyond our means.” Participant F spoke about the band having only enough funds to support fifty percent of the requests for training and offered this warning to clients, “You may have to wait in line.” Participant E stated, “Where are these people going to work when they’re done? We train them, but we have to first understand how hard employment equity really is.” From the EC’s point-of-view, according to Participant B, “It gets frustrating watching them struggle.”