Building Indigenous digital careers through real work and real outcomes

Our mission is to build and employ Indigenous digital talent to deliver reliable, on-shore Fractional IT Department services for Canadian organizations.

Explore the InitiativeBecome a Launch Sponsor

Workforce Programs

Employment-First Pathways into IT Careers

Maverick Gardner Pathways North Inc. (MGPN) delivers workforce programs designed to produce paid employment in IT and digital services.

Rather than stand-alone training, MGPN operates structured pathways that integrate skills development with active service delivery, enabling direct transition into paid roles and sustained career progression—without requiring relocation.

MGPN is an employer-embedded workforce platform. Training exists to support hiring, delivery, and advancement, not as a standalone outcome.

IT Workforce Pathways

MGPN’s core focus is building an Indigenous IT workforce capable of supporting modern organizations through onshore, remote service delivery.

IT Foundations & Workplace Readiness

This entry pathway prepares participants for transition into technical IT roles.

Focus areas include:

  • Digital literacy and core workplace tools
  • Professional communication and documentation
  • Data handling, security awareness, and compliance basics
  • Remote work readiness and team collaboration

Opportunities:
Participants move into entry-level IT roles with a strong foundation in workplace expectations, positioning them for rapid progression once in technical environments.

IT Operations & Service Desk (Core Pathway)

This is MGPN’s primary employment stream and the foundation of long-term IT careers.

Participants are trained and deployed into real service delivery functions, including:

  • Service desk and end-user support
  • Device and account management
  • Ticketing systems and workflow execution
  • Technical documentation and SOP adherence

Opportunities:

  • Entry into Tier 1 / Tier 2 IT support roles
  • Progression into systems administration, network support, or cloud operations
  • Exposure to enterprise environments and client-facing service delivery
  • Stable, repeatable employment with clear advancement pathways

Participants gain hands-on experience through supervised work on live systems, with direct transition into paid roles.

Cybersecurity & Compliance Support

This pathway prepares participants for security-aligned roles that are increasingly critical across all industries.

Focus areas include:

  • Cybersecurity fundamentals and threat awareness
  • Incident response workflows and escalation procedures
  • Compliance tracking, reporting, and documentation
  • Policy support and risk management basics

Opportunities:

  • Entry into cybersecurity support and governance roles
  • Pathways toward SOC support, compliance analyst, or security operations roles
  • Participation in regulated, audit-driven environments
  • Long-term progression into specialized cybersecurity careers

This pathway aligns with growing demand for security-conscious IT operations across both public and private sectors.

IT Systems, QA & Digital Operations

A structured pathway into IT-adjacent roles that support system reliability, accuracy, and performance.

Focus areas include:

  • Quality assurance and system testing
  • Process validation and documentation control
  • Data integrity and workflow management
  • Operational reporting and system support

Opportunities:

  • Entry into QA, systems support, and operations roles
  • Progression into business systems analysis or technical project support
  • Development of high-value skills in process control and system reliability
  • Cross-pathway mobility into IT operations or cybersecurity over time

This pathway is ideal for participants with strong attention to detail and structured thinking, offering multiple entry points into the broader IT ecosystem.

Program Design Principles

All MGPN workforce programs are built on a consistent operating model:

  • Employment-first: Every pathway is designed to lead directly to paid roles
  • Real work delivery: Participants contribute to live environments, not simulations
  • Paid experience: Transition to paid practicum or employment is built into the model
  • Remote-enabled: Roles are structured for community-based, onshore work
  • Outcome-driven: Success is measured in jobs, wages, and retention

How Participants Progress

MGPN pathways are delivered in small, cohort-based models with defined progression:

  1. Recruitment and readiness assessment
  2. Role-aligned training
  3. Supervised work on real systems
  4. Paid practicum or work-integrated experience
  5. Transition into employment

Advancement is performance-based, driven by demonstrated capability, reliability, and professionalism—not time spent in training.

Employment Outcomes

MGPN defines success through measurable workforce outcomes:

  • Participants hired into paid IT roles
  • Wage growth and career progression
  • Retention within the workforce
  • Quality and consistency of service delivery

Programs are continuously refined to strengthen these outcomes and align with market demand.

For Indigenous jobseekers — connect with funding & opportunities in your area

Express Interest