News
FNHPA announces new Upskilling Program with TD
OTTAWA — The First Nations Housing Professionals Association (FNHPA), the only Canada-wide centre for professional standards, certification and other services for existing and future First Nations housing professionals, is delighted to introduce a new upskilling program funded by TD Bank Group (TD).
While FNHPA has developed educational services to enhance overall capacity development for housing staff, a significant hurdle is ensuring they are able to afford and access learning opportunities.
With support from TD, this new program will allow housing professionals to have training and educational costs covered on their path to becoming a certified First Nations Housing Professional. Eligible activities to receive funding range from enrolling in FNHP courses; examination fees; an annual membership with the organization; costs related to workshop or conference participation; and the application fee for experienced housing professionals to achieve their FNHP designation through a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Process (PLAR) portfolio assessment.
"At TD, we believe education is the gateway to prepare people for future success and build stronger, more vibrant communities across Canada," said Doris Bear, Vice President, Indigenous Banking, TD Bank Group. " Through the TD Ready Commitment, we aspire to support Indigenous Peoples so that they can create an environment they see needed to thrive in a continuously changing world and we are so proud to support FNHPA in their work to open more doors for housing professionals from First Nation communities."
“This opportunity is responding to a barrier in accessing education and training for our communities,” says Candace Bennett, Executive Director of the FNHPA. “Since First Nations housing is not core funded and tends to operate in a deficit, staff are always having to choose maintenance and repair of a house over enhancing their knowledge through education and training.”
With the support from TD, First Nations housing staff will have greater access to reskilling and upskilling opportunities. This support will result in improvements to safe and affordable housing, as well as income stability for Indigenous peoples transitioning into a career in First Nations Housing.
Applications are now being accepted for the upskilling program and there’s no better time to register for our fall semester FNHP courses. Applicants must be First Nations, be employed in a housing department or management position in a First Nation and/or have served as an intern in a housing department within the past two years, and reside or work in a First Nation. Visit www.fnhpa.ca to apply and learn more.
“Kitchi migwetch to TD for investing in our communities across the country,” says Bennett. “Through upskilling, housing staff will be better equipped to protect the multi-million-dollar assets in our communities and support community members."
About the First Nations Housing Professionals Association
The First Nations Housing Professionals Association (FNHPA) is a national, professional association serving the needs of individuals working for or aspiring to positions in housing with First Nations organizations. The FNHPA provides training, certification and professional development opportunities in housing management. The FNHPA is committed to excellence in expanding housing management capacity. The Housing and Wellness Program is designed to provide information and guidance to First Nations individuals living on reserve or working in a housing capacity. Key areas addressed are education (Keeper of My Home, Youth Initiatives) and wellness as it relates to the health and mental well-being of First Nations housing staff, occupants, students and the home itself. Through the provision of resources, we hope to address these issues to increase employee satisfaction, improve the healthy living of First Nation members and improve student success.
About TD Bank Group
The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group ("TD" or the "Bank"). TD is the fifth largest bank in North America by assets and serves more than 26 million customers in three key businesses operating in a number of locations in financial centres around the globe: Canadian Retail, including TD Canada Trust, TD Auto Finance Canada, TD Wealth (Canada), TD Direct Investing, and TD Insurance; U.S. Retail, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®, TD Auto Finance U.S., TD Wealth (U.S.), and an investment in The Charles Schwab Corporation; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 15 million active online and mobile customers. TD had CDN$1.8 trillion in assets on April 30, 2022. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.
SOURCE First Nations Housing Professionals Association
For further information: Sharon Perreault, sharon@fnhpa.ca
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