A new program in the area is offering help to those on the hunt for employment.
Career Evolution North is a program serving Cold Lake, Bonnyville, and the surrounding area. The service offers assistance for people re-entering the workforce.
"We're providing client-centred services to help people who are on Employment Insurance (EI) or have received EI in the past, gain employment where they can utilize skills," explained supervisor Lorie Jacobsen.
While they've been operating out of their Cold Lake office since Oct. 1, their grand opening wasn't scheduled until Monday, Oct. 15.
"(People) have a chance to look around the centre, and learn more about us," Jacobsen noted, adding that they had some clients already come in for help with their job search.
Businesses have reached out to Career Evolution North about positions they've had issues filling.
"We look at the clients we have, and do they have the skills to fit what the employer's looking for, or are there things that we can help the employee get the skills to meet the demands of the employer, or how we can help the employer adapt to the missing skills that the client may have in that industry," Jacobsen said.
Assisting clients in entering new fields is the primary focus of Career Evolution North, as well as teaching them how to translate previous experience into new positions.
"We look at their other skill sets. Just because you're a stay-at-home mom, doesn't mean you don't have a lot of skill sets that are going to match an employer's needs. Just because you're a welder, doesn't mean you don't have managerial skills that transfer into another career option," expressed Jacobsen.
Services provided to the area include employment placement, direct job matching, unpaid work exposure, short-term training, and follow-up support.
"We're providing computer support, access to faxes, emails, and readiness training. If they need help with their resume, need help with interview skills, or with job search skills. We'll be doing a little bit of unpaid work exposure. If you're interested in a career from an employer that will sit down and talk to you about the career choice to make sure it feels like a good fit for you," Jacobsen explained.
The program is offered through EmployAbilities, which also has Lakeland Employment Services and EmployAbilities North available locally.
To qualify for Career Evolution North, you must be a resident of Alberta, 18 years of age or older, currently unemployed or under-employed, receiving or be eligible for EI, and able to participate in full-time employment.
"They cannot be accessing from Alberta Services, in terms of income support. We make sure our programs are different because Alberta Services provides a service also through our company to help people on income support... We'll be focusing on clients on EI," Jacobsen detailed.
Their offices are located in Cold Lake in the Business Centre, and they're open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 780-201-7755.
