While the word “homework” may bring back painful memories of school, university, and all-nighters, work-from-home is an emerging employment opportunity in the 21st century.
Aboriginal Peoples in New Brunswick are faced with significant barriers to employment. This has resulted in a 20.8% unemployment rate (Statistics Canada, 2011). However, differences emerge when you examine the on- and off-reserve populations. According to Statistics Canada in 2006, “The employment rate for First Nations people living on reserve was 51.8% compared to 66.3% for those living off reserve”. Recent data released by the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board (NAECB) shows that “the average income on reserve was $18,586 in 2010. For First Nations people off reserve, it was $30,266. Non-aboriginal average income was $41,052” (CBC News, 2015).
Why is there such a difference? Many First Nations in New Brunswick are located away from urban centers. Economic opportunities that come with population density are simply not available to those living on reserve, with the exception of St. Mary’s First Nation in Fredericton. Members of remote Aboriginal communities must be innovative in order to participate in the economy.
Work-from-home is a growing employment opportunity for Aboriginal Peoples. Research tells us that Aboriginal Peoples feel a close connection to the community they live in, and that affects their career choices. Work-from-home allows those who are hesitant to leave home an opportunity to earn income and stay in the community. Doing your Home-Work never looked so good!
The Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling (CERIC) recently published a free resource describing 70 legitimate work-from-home opportunities. These involve employment in 14 different areas:
- Telephone based work
- Transcription services
- Translation services
- Virtual assistants
- Crowdsourcing
- Careers in E-Learning
- Consulting and Contracting
- Accounting and Tax Preparation
- Content creation
- Medical writing
- Job boards
- Gaming
- Online surveys
- Mystery shopping
To find out more about these options by visiting: http://contactpoint.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/WM-Workshop-Client-Handout.pdf.
To find out more information about the Legitimate Opportunities to Work From Home Project, visit: http://www.eecentre.com/wfh.php.
For more information regarding CERIC, visit their website at: www.ceric.ca.
Mike Hennessey, Aboriginal Labour Market Information Analyst, will be a monthly contributor to the JEDI blog. From Pabineau First Nation, Mike holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick and is currently finishing a Masters of Education at UNB. Mike is motivated to share relevant labour market information to help First Nations, industry, and government recognize the potential that lies in the Aboriginal workforce.