Indigenous peoples are significant contributors to infrastructure development in Canada. From heavy infrastructure, mines and pipelines, to industrial, commercial, institutional and residential building, First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples are employed in the construction industry at a higher rate than the overall population according to the 2021 Census. The vast majority of that participation is in the skilled trades. Conversely, Indigenous professional employment in the construction industry—engineers, architects, building technicians, project managers, and even administrative and support staff—is a mere fraction of the overall population on a per capita basis. 

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Indigenous Participation Plans (IPPs) have in recent years been mandated by the Government of Canada and some provincial and municipal governments to ensure a minimum level of Indigenous participation on major infrastructure and other projects through subcontracting, training and employment, representing a generational opportunity for Indigenous peoples. However, there are several challenges to honouring those commitments, particularly when it comes to training and employment. 

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AKI Recruiters understands both the challenges and the solutions for meeting commitments to indigenous training and employment in the construction industry, both in the professional, administrative and project management fields, and in the skilled trades. AKI Recruiters offers the construction industry a one-stop-shop for recruiting Indigenous professional and skilled trades talent across Canada.