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.
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Module Description:
This module introduces participants to the digital tools they will use throughout the course, including Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Zoom, Email, and ChatGPT. The main focus is on downloading and setting up these tools to ensure participants are ready for subsequent modules. Participants will also be introduced to the AI features built into these tools—such as Word’s auto-editing, Zoom’s live transcription, and smart email suggestions—as well as how ChatGPT can support productivity, writing, and creativity throughout the course.
Instructional Objectives:
Ensure participants successfully download and install the required applications (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace apps, Zoom, ChatGPT).
Introduce the purpose of each tool and its relevance in professional and personal contexts.
Highlight built-in AI features in tools like Word (Editor), Email (smart suggestions), and Zoom (AI transcription).
Help participants understand the basic navigation of the tools.
Provide clear, specific instruction or steps that participants need to complete to prepare participants for deeper dives in future modules.
Measurable Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module, participants will:
Download and install Microsoft 365 apps, Google Workspace apps, and ChatGPT.
Set up Zoom and Email accounts.
Understand the primary function of each tool (Word, Docs, Excel, Sheets, etc.), including their AI-powered features.
Feel confident navigating the basic interface of each tool and identifying where AI can support their digital work.
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Module Description:
In this module, participants will learn the fundamentals of Zoom Video Conferencing, including how to set up, join, and host meetings, manage participants, and use features like screen sharing and breakout rooms. By the end of this module, students will feel confident hosting and managing professional or personal meetings using Zoom.
Instructional Objectives:
Learn how to create a Zoom account and download the app.
Understand how to schedule, join, and host meetings.
Learn how to manage meeting participants (mute, remove, assign co-hosts).
Practice using key features like screen sharing, breakout rooms, and chat.
Gain confidence in using Zoom for remote communication and collaboration.
Measurable Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module, participants will:
Set up and customize their Zoom account.
Schedule and join a Zoom meeting.
Host a meeting and manage participants using basic meeting controls (mute, screen sharing).
Use advanced features like breakout rooms and chat effectively.
Record meetings and share them with participants.
Feel confident hosting and participating in Zoom meetings.
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Module Description:
This module introduces beginners to the basics of Email Management. Participants will learn how to set up and manage email accounts, compose and send professional emails, and organize their inbox using tools like folders, labels, and filters. Participants will also move beyond account setup and basic composition to master tone, structure, and clarity in business correspondence—including status updates, stakeholder communication, and managing threads and follow-ups.
Key Learning Objectives:
Email Setup: Learn how to create, set up, and manage email accounts (e.g., Gmail, Outlook).
Communication Best Practices: Understand best practices for professional email communication, including proper etiquette, formatting, and tone.
Inbox Organization: Learn how to organize emails using folders, labels, and filters to keep track of important messages.
Explore advanced AI features such as tone adjustment, thread summarization, and AI-assisted drafting.
Provide hands-on experience writing a professional project update email.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module, participants will:
Set up a basic email account and customize it.
Compose and send professional emails using correct formatting and etiquette.
Attach files or images to emails.
Organize emails using folders, labels, and filters for better inbox management.
Apply best practices for efficient email communication and inbox organization.
Use AI tools to refine tone, check clarity, and draft or condense messages.
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Module Description:
In this module, participants will learn how to create, format, and edit documents using Microsoft Word and Google Docs. These word processing tools are essential for writing, editing, and sharing documents in both professional and personal contexts. The module expands on AI-powered features—including smart compose, document summaries, and the use of AI tools to draft, outline, and refine content. The capstone practical exercise asks participants to build a draft two-page report.
Instructional Objectives:
Introduce participants to the basic features of Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
Teach how to format text, insert images, and save documents.
Explore AI features such as smart compose, document summaries, and generative AI tools like ChatGPT for drafting and outlining.
Show participants how to add a table of contents.
Provide hands-on experience building a structured, multi-page report.
Measurable Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module, participants will:
Create a new document in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
Format text, including changing fonts, aligning text, and adding bullet points.
Build a draft two-page report with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Insert and format tables, images, headers, footers, and page numbers.
Use AI tools to draft, outline, summarize, and refine written content.
Add a table of contents to a report.
Save, export, and share the finished report as a PDF or Word/Docs file.
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Module Description:
In this module, participants will learn the fundamentals of spreadsheet creation and management using Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. These tools are essential for organizing data, performing calculations, and creating simple charts. Using a sales performance dataset as the working example, participants learn to summarize data, calculate key metrics, and visualize results. The module deepens the use of AI-powered features such as Smart Fill, and formula suggestions for building and troubleshooting formulas. The capstone practical exercise asks participants to build a report on sales performance. By the end of this module, participants will be able to turn raw data into a clear, professional performance report.
Instructional Objectives:
Introduce participants to the basic features of Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
Teach how to create, organize, and format spreadsheets.
Demonstrate how to use simple formulas for calculations.
Explain how to create and customize charts.
Provide hands-on experience in spreadsheet creation and data management.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module, participants will:
Create a new spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
Enter and format data, including adjusting rows and columns.
Use basic formulas, such as SUM and AVERAGE, for simple calculations.
Create and format charts that visualize sales performance.
Build a complete sales performance report in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
Use AI features to speed up analysis, suggest formulas, and reduce errors.
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Module Description:
This module introduces participants to creating presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides. The module covers visual hierarchy, data visualization, storytelling with slides, and the effective use of charts and speaker notes. It expands on AI-powered features such as design suggestions, layout recommendations, and generative AI tools for drafting slide content, titles, and speaker notes. The capstone practical exercise asks participants to build a slide deck reporting on sales performance. By the end of this module, participants will be able to design a professional, presentation-ready deck that communicates results effectively.
Instructional Objectives:
Learn how to create, format, and organize slides in Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides.
Understand how to insert and manage multimedia elements like images, charts, and videos.
Demonstrate how to insert, format, and label charts and visuals to present performance data.
Explain how to write and use speaker notes to support delivery.
Explore AI features such as design suggestions and layout refinements.
Provide hands-on experience building a sales performance slide deck.
Measurable Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module, participants will:
Structure a slide deck with a clear narrative flow from summary to detail.
Present sales performance data using well-formatted charts and visuals.
Apply consistent design, layout, and visual hierarchy across slides.
Write effective speaker notes to support a confident delivery.
Use AI tools to refine design, generate content, and draft speaker notes.
Save and export the deck as a PowerPoint file, PDF, or Google Slides link.
COURSE DURATION
24 Hours
ASSIGNMENTS & QUIZ DURATION
12 Hours
COURSE DELIVERY
Over Zoom
COURSE SCHEDULE
Eleven sessions, five weeks
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.