Avon Maitland’s Centre for Employment and Learning (CEL) staff in Huron received some great news last week.
The Government of Canada’s Skills Link will invest in their ‘Reach for Success’ project to help 110 youth get the skills and knowledge they will need to make a successful transition to the job market, or return to school, and to overcome other barriers they face to finding jobs.
For this project that provides hands-on work experience, job search assistance and skills upgrading resources for youth facing barriers to employment—including Indigenous youth, female youth at risk and members of a visible minority, the Government pledged $925,027 in funding over 3 years.
Since 2010, the Centre for Employment and Learning has successfully delivered Skills Link initiatives in Huron County.
Of 136 participants in the period ending in September 2016:
- Nearly 100 participants or almost 75% completed the program
- 74 were employed
- 28 returned to school for a success rate of 75%
The announcement was made last Monday at the Centre for Employment and Learning in Goderich.
Parliamentary Secretary Rodger Cuzner brought word of the funding on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour. Ralf Mesenbrink presided over the event as Principal for the Centre of Employment and Learning and Jon Ridsdale, a former client, was also on-hand to give an account of his experience with the ‘Reach for Success’ project.
Here is an excerpt from Jon’s message:
“The Reach For Success program has really got me back on a steady track. It has allowed me to gain and complete employable skills such as First Aid and Smart Serve to name a few. These are new skills on my resume. It helped me find a job I truly enjoy doing and am motivated to be at every day, on time!!! I am finally happy seeing my name on a paycheque every week again for the first time in a long time. I would hope if anybody struggling to find a job was offered this program that they would take the offer because Reach For success can only help you excel and succeed at improving your resume, cover letter and at helping you find a paid placement. It truly has been a turning point for me and my success.”
It truly has been a turning point for me …
“Our Reach for Success project continues to be an important tool in our efforts to assist youth in Huron County develop the skills they need to find and improve their employment opportunities”, stated Megan Miller, Reach for Success lead for the Centre for Employment and Learning – Clinton. “The program encourages a different type of learning to enhance employability skills and it supports participants as they work towards a career while contributing to the local labour market.”
The ‘Reach for Success’ project activities will take place in Clinton and Seaforth, Ontario.
PS Cuzner, Jon Risdale and Ralf Mesenbrink
About the CEL
The AMDSB’s Centre for Employment & Learning and its predecessor organizations have provided adult credit, Literacy and other skill development and employment services for both employers and employees close to 2 decades.
Although the area of focus has changed over time to reflect the changing economic needs, the various employment services offered in Huron County are important factors in the economic well-being of both their local residents and their communities as a whole.
The range of services and connections provided by the CEL allows them to also refer students to other programs or partners – for example developing literacy and numeracy skills or adult credit programs to help complete a high school diploma.
For more information on the CEL please visit their website.