LAKELAND - The Government of Alberta has awarded $6.5 million in grant funding to organizations across the province to provide career and employment services, and some of those funds will be coming to the Lakeland region.
A total of 41 grants were awarded to service providers throughout the province to help underemployed Albertans get back to work, according to the Government of Alberta, in a media release from Feb. 8.
"The organizations receiving funding offer a range of supports targeted at a wide variety of people, including women with barriers to employment, youth with disabilities, and unemployed oil and gas workers transitioning into new industries and sectors," according to the provincial government.
Increasing employment supports is one way the government says it is helping rebuild Alberta’s economy and support people’s return to the workforce.
When asked which organizations specifically will benefit from the funds, Justin Marshall, press secretary for the Minister of Community and Social Services, provided information describing the services EmployAbilities North and the Dove Centre will be offering locals.
In the St. Paul, Cold Lake, Bonnyville, Vegreville, and Lac La Biche regions, the 'Virtual Connections' program offered through EmployAbilities North connects people with disabilities to the "virtual world of work" by increasing their capacity through access to computers and technology, development of digital and essential skills required by employers, and enhancement of online job search skills.
Jan Watson, program supervisor with EmployAbilities North explains that "Virtual Connections came out of an idea in December 2020, when we were approached to submit a proposal for assisting persons with disabilities enter the workforce in a world changed by the pandemic."
Those involved had noticed that people - especially those with disabilities - were not as connected as they once were, and did not have the skills to pivot as easily to a world that quickly went virtual.
EmployAbilities received a grant from the Alberta Government in February of 2021, and the project ran until Dec. 31, 2021. Thanks to the success of the program and further grant funding, the program has been able to continue to operate.
"The program targets persons with disabilities that have limited skills with computers and digital technology, have the desire to learn and are motivated to find employment," says Watson. "The program consisted of 10 weeks of classroom learning, followed by 10 weeks of job search and placement."
A total of 16 people participated in the program with 13 gaining employment.
"It was a very successful program and we are grateful that Community and Social Services saw the same gaps we saw and provided the funding to support the training and employment goals of our clients," says Watson.
In October, another proposal was submitted, with an expansion of services to include Athabasca, Westlock and Barrhead.
Recruitment started in October and classes subsequently started in January. A job search will start up in March.
And, recruitment for a third cohort is expected to begin in May.
"We hope to have 32 to 35 participants in the next cohort," according to Watson.
Employment placement and retention follow-up services are provided for 90 days. The program also offers A Best Practices Resource Guide for professionals working with persons with disabilities.
The Dove Centre services individuals in the Bonnyville and Cold Lake areas and was also listed a local organization that will benefit from the provincial funding.
"In order to enhance our employment supports, the Dove Centre would benefit from operating two Employment Centres in both Cold Lake and Bonnyville," reads information provided by the Government of Alberta from the Dove Centre. Within those centres, there will either be one full time staff, spending equal time at each centre, or two part time staff hired.
The role of the staff members will be to develop job skills curriculum, teach workshops, assist with resume writing, help create business cards, assist with marketing skills, and develop working relationships with potential employers in the community.
The Dove Centre is a non-profit agency that provides support for people with disabilities, allowing them to enjoy independence and employment while fostering a meaningful and inclusive quality of life.
