KES News
Looking for candidates, paid youth program to start in January
By KC Dyer
Nov 6, 2006, 09:54

"Making the Transition" is a two- phase, paid 28-week, HRSDC sponsored Skills Link program to assist at-risk youth (ages of 15 to 30) who are having difficulty in gaining and/or maintaining employment. The program will help youth prepare for the job market and then provide work experience opportunities within their area(s) of greatest interest. All participants selected have barriers that hinder their abilities and make them at-risk in the eyes of HRSDC. The program will address some or all of the issues they face with successful outcomes being a return to school, paid employment, a second intervention, or some combination of the three.

The first 5-week phase will include in-depth assessments, skill building and experiential project-based learning. It will include Employability Skills 2000 and cover fully the nine essential skills. Interpersonal and work topics such as teamwork, problem solving, work ethic, goal setting, communication, and computer use will be covered. Parts of the curriculum will include excerpts from "Cultivating True Livelihood" by Denise Bissonnette, and financial literacy workshops from the ADAPT curriculum. Career interest assessments, the Myers Briggs Type indicator, and other inventories will be administered so that clients gain greater self-knowledge to help clarify career/educational choices.

The afternoons will be spent in more student-centered, experiential activities where theory will be put into practice. These activities will reinforce the morning topics and involve role simulations, project planning, and work within all nine essential skill areas. As necessary for work placements, students will complete certificate courses such as First Aid, Food Safe, Super Host and WHMIS offered through the College of the Rockies. Participants will spend 30 hours/week during this phase and receive minimum wage.

During the 23-week, second phase of the program, students will be placed with (an) employer(s) to gain work experience on a full time basis and build competency within their field(s) of choice. They will be monitored so any issues that may arise can be addressed. Students will gain significant employment time and a regular pay cheque, and the possibility of continued work after the program ends. A closing ceremony will be held to celebrate participant successes.

E-mail KC Dyer for more information or call (250) 428-5655.