First Nations Natural Resources Youth Employment Program (FNNRYEP)

The First Nations Natural Resources Youth Employment Program (FNNRYEP) is a 2-year pan-Boreal program (offered by the Confederation College Natural Resouces Centre) with the affirmed goal to create awareness, generate interest and provide the pathway for First Nations youth between the ages of 16 to 18 to pursue education, training and employment in natural resource science based sectors such as forestry and mining.

It offers First Nations youth a safe, structured and predictable work environment in order to gain a head start in securing eventual employment in the natural resource sectors and promotes secondary and post-secondary education to attain these goals. The program is conducted during the months of July and August in a field camp setting where program supervisory staff maintains complete control over daily work / training schedules, meal times, recreation time and curfews.

Additionally, the FNNRYEP promotes science and technology as an education and/or career choice especially during the Natural Resources Science Camp week held at Confederation College. During this time, through "hands on" workshops and demonstrations First Nations youth are provided the opportunity to acquire information on a variety of science and technology based programs available at Confederation College (such as the Forestry and Environmental Technician programs).  In addition, tours of Confederation College, the Aviation Centre, and Lakehead University are also conducted.  By illustrating the availability and range of science and technology based educational/career choices, these youth are given the tools so that they are able to make knowledgeable decisions regarding their career and future life aspirations.