Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner proposed and later signed the Cherokee Nation Career Readiness Act in 2019 to double the tribe’s funding each year to train Cherokees in the areas of construction, health, information technology and lineman trade jobs. Hundreds of Cherokee citizens have already received vocational assistance through the Cherokee Nation Career Services department since that time.
Responsive Vocational Training
In October of 2021, Chief Hoskin announced that the Cherokee Nation is investing an additional $29 million over three years to help Cherokee citizens negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic receive vocational training in skilled trades.
"We will make every effort to support Cherokees pursuing any type of career training that leads to a good paying job," Chief Hoskin said.
The $29 million boost to the Career Readiness Act will specifically assist Cherokee citizens who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through loss of a job or through under-employment.
Participants will receive vocational training in a wide array of skilled trades including, but not limited to, health care, construction trades, child care, HVAC, hospitality, welding, electrical, tourism, security, and information technology. A training stipend may be available to assist with living expenses and supportive services may be available to assist with housing, transportation, child care, etc.
To qualify for opportunities funded by ARPA, participants must be Cherokee Nation citizens living in the Cherokee Nation Reservation or a contiguous county whose boundary touches the Cherokee Nation Reservation border.
Responsive Incentive Program GED
Alternative Education Incentives are provided to Cherokee Citizens upon successful completion of the applicable state approved High School Equivalency (HSE) exam. Partial Incentives may be provided for Cherokee citizens that pass the majority of the components, with the remainder paid upon successful completion of all modules.
Responsive Career Readiness Program
Training and/or certification provided through customized training classes including, but not limited to, our High Voltage Lineman Training Program, Fiber Technician Training Program, and Building Trades Program. Certification may also be available in health care and information technology fields. Participants may receive a training stipend to assist with living expenses and supportive services may be available to assist with housing, transportation, child care, etc.
Responsive Reemployment Program
Participants will gain work experience in a position with the Cherokee Nation, its entities, or with one of our partner businesses earning an hourly wage of $11.00 for up to 40 hours per week. Supportive services may be available to assist with housing, transportation, child care, etc.
Responsive Tribal Training Program
Tribal training provides individuals with a day-to-day training activity, resulting in a daily pay card to assist with emergency needs such as gas, groceries, diapers, utility bills, etc. Participants are placed at a tribal training site with an approved individual training agreement. This program also assists those that have substantial barriers to employment by providing referrals to career skills, GED assistance, housing, and child care.
Participants will receive vocational training in skilled trades such as health care, construction, and child care and information technology. A training stipend may be available to assist with living expenses and supportive services may be available to assist with housing, transportation, child care, etc.
Responsive Youth Work Experience Program
Tribal youth will gain work experience in a position with the Cherokee Nation, its entities, or with one of our partner businesses earning an hourly wage of $11.00 for up to 40 hours per week. Supportive services may be available to assist with necessities such as transportation, uniforms, tools, etc.
