EMPLOYABILITY

Employment and Training's Employability programs assist in providing you with opportunities to enter the workforce for the first time, or if you are having difficulty finding employment after being out of the workforce while in school or for personal reasons. The goal of these programs is to assist you in finding full-time, and long-term employment while obtaining quality work experience. There are two types of Employability programs: Job Creation Initiative and Assistance for the Self-Employed.

Job Creation Initiative

After thoroughly discussing your work experience and qualifications with an Employment Counselor, he/she will seek out an employer who may have a position available to suit your qualifications and experience.

Likewise, if you are an employer who has a position available within your business, the Employment Counselor will go through a list of clients who are looking for work; who are eligible for an Employability program; and who are qualified for the job. Once the employer and prospective employee are matched, the application process begins.

A funding request is submitted containing information about work hours and a work plan outlining the type of skills you will be learning, the type of work you will be doing, and salary information. The request is then brought to a departmental meeting for review. If approved, Employment and Training will fund the project with a contribution, usually minimum wage, towards the cost of your salary. You then become an employee of the employer for a minimum of 26 weeks. Employment and Training, to ensure that the project is going as planned, do regularly scheduled follow-up through site visits.

The goal of the Job Creation Initiative is that, at the end of the project, you will be hired by your employer, independent of Employment and Training's involvement or financial assistance towards salary; and hopefully in a full-time and long-term position.

Assistance for the Self-Employed

Starting up your own business can be stressful - physically, mentally, and financially. The Assistance for the Self-Employed program is designed to assist you in your first year of operation with financial assistance generally equivalent to the current minimum wage.

Please contact our Employment Officer for more information on program eligibility requirements.

For more information on our Employability Programs, click here.