AN INDIGENOUS-LED DIGTAL CAPACITY INITIATIVE

ISET Rising

A study by the Future Skills Centre reports that 90 percent of jobs in the next decade will require digital skills, but only 54 percent of workers currently have them. For example, Microsoft Suite skills are mentioned over four million times. In an age where we're talking about rapid AI adoption, we need to take a few steps back to make sure we're bringing the whole workforce with us in the digital economy, not leaving anyone behind, and addressing the skills gaps before it's too late.

2.2%

of the digital marketing & tech workforce is Indigenous


5.2%

Indigenous share of the overall labour force

25%

of jobs in over-represented sectors at risk of automation

THE INITIATIVE

A targeted, Indigenous-led response

The ISET Rising Initiative is a targeted, Indigenous-led response to the digital capacity gap that many Indigenous communities face. The initiative will deliver introductory Digital Literacy training to 20 staff across 20 ISET centres (10 in Alberta and 10 in Ontario) at NO COST.

Strengthening the digital capacity of ISET managers is a practical, high-leverage investment: a more digitally confident workforce means better-informed, more effective support for the Indigenous job seekers who walk through their doors.

WHO THIS REACHES

20

ISET STAFF
Two per participating centre

10 in Alberta

10 in Ontario

THE TRAINING

Digital Literacy & AI Tools

This course covers the foundations of digital literacy including: an introduction to digital tools, lessons on Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, Zoom video conferencing, email management, and ChatGPT for productivity support.

Participants will also explore AI features built into many of these tools—such as Word’s Editor suggestions, Excel’s formula auto-fill, Gmail’s smart reply, and Zoom’s live transcription.

PLEASE NOTE:

This program is designed to support participants in developing foundational digital skills. It provides an introduction to essential workplace tools and AI technologies, with a focus on understanding core features and building confidence in everyday use.

APPLY NOW

COURSE DURATION

24 Hours

ASSIGNMENTS & QUIZ DURATION

12 Hours

COURSE DELIVERY

Over Zoom


COURSE SCHEDULE

Eleven sessions, five weeks

LESSON
DATE
TIME (EST)
TIME (MST)
Intro Module
September 28, 2026
2-3 PM
12-1 PM
Zoom — Lesson
September 29, 2026
2-5 PM
12-3 PM
Zoom — Workshop
October 1, 2026
2-3 PM
12-1 PM
Email — Lesson
October 6, 2026
2-5 PM
12-3 PM
Email — Workshop
October 8, 2026
2-3 PM
12-1 PM
Word + Google Docs — Lesson
October 13, 2026
2-5 PM
12-3 PM
Word + Google Docs — Workshop
October 15, 2026
2-3 PM
12-1 PM
Excel + Google Sheets — Lesson
October 20, 2026
2-5 PM
12-3 PM
Excel + Google Sheets — Workshop
October 22, 2026
2-3 PM
12-1 PM
PowerPoint + Google Slides — Lesson
October 27, 2026
2-5 PM
12-3 PM
PowerPoint + Google Slides — Workshop
October 29, 2026
2-3 PM
12-1 PM
All Assignments & Quizzes Due
November 3, 2026
3 PM
1 PM
Lesson — core teaching session
Workshop — hands-on practice

HOW TO APPLY

Claim your spot


You must be an ISET funding manager in Alberta or Ontario

1


Two staff members are eligible per ISET office

2

Ready to submit your application?

This ISET Rising initiative is fully funded by the RBC Foundation, ensuring we can provide the training at NO COST to successful applicants. We require all applicants to fill out a series of questions so we can review your eligibility, gauge your digital literacy and skill levels and your overall motivations for enrolling in the training program.


Apply now

PROJECT PARTNERS

This project is supported by key partners: