Second Chance Employment Counselling received $455,182 in funding from the Canadian government towards their project, Ways2Work, as part of their Youth and Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) to assist youth in the community who are facing barriers towards employment.
The announcement was made by MP Lloyd Longfield on behalf of the Minister of Employment Workforce Development and Labour, Honourable Patty Hajdu on Aug. 7 at the Second Chance Employment Counselling building on Norfolk Street.
The funding aims to help youth develop the skills and experience they need to enter the workforce by securing the continuation of group-based employability skills and work experience at Second Chance Employment Counselling to assist 154 individuals that include visible minorities, Indigenous youth, and those with disabilities who are struggling to find employment.
“We’re really more honoured and thrilled to extend this program. We’ve been writing this program now for well over 10 years. It has grown, it has become a big part of this community. It is a big part of this organization and its become a really big part of so many lives,” said executive director at Second Chance Employment Counselling, Chris Baginski-Hansen.
Baginski-Hensen said Longfield's contribution to Second Chance Employment Counselling has been incredibly helpful over the years.
"On a more community level, you’ve always supported this program, you’ve always supported youth and employment, you've always supported the concept of giving youth opportunities and how we give youth those opportunities to grow, to learn, to live and to prosper in our community," said Baginski-Hansen.
She said the new funding will open doors to practical approaches as well as allow the program to run longer and reach a larger audience.
“Let’s say somebody needs a forklift certification to secure a job, we’ll now be able to pay for that, and then they'll have a job to go into. That’s enormous. That's an incredible barrier removed like that. For that young person, that would be insurmountable,” said Baginski-Hansen.
“So we can actually start doing some of these practical things, plus we offer a great deal of support. Support around housing, support around daycare, if needed, and any other kind of support. Mental health support, physical health support that a youth needs - we’re here to help them with that.”
Members of YESS will participate in group-based employability skills activities for five days a week for six weeks. During this time, they will receive a provincial minimum wage and attend sessions that will allow them to develop their skills in time management, communication, problem-solving, team building, safety and security along with interview and resume building skills.
Members will also obtain industry-standard training and certification in First Aids with Level A CPR, Safe Food, Smart Serve and Fall Arrest Certification along with the opportunity to network with employers in the community.
Longfield said YESS has been redesigned to create more opportunities by being more flexible, by building more partnerships with stakeholder organizations and ultimately focusing on youth who need employment support the most.
“Supporting youth is a key transition into the workforce. It gives them the training they need to succeed and it's gonna help to grow our economy and also the strength of the middle class,” said Longfield.
“When everybody has a fair chance of success, we all benefit.”
With Guelph holding the title of the city with the lowest unemployment rate in Canada, Longfield highlighted the need for skills and competitive workforce to keep the momentum going.
“That's why we're investing in young Canadian workers so that we’re prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” said Longfield.
Participant Rose Irving at the Second Chance Employment Centre says she joined the program to help her achieve her career goals and ultimately lead a successful career life.
Currently, in the fourth week of the program, She says she already sees a positive outcome from the program and recognizes the changes it can potentially bring in her life.
Irving who hopes to pursue a career in customer service, says it has given her the opportunity to develop her skills and experience and serve her as one-stop-shop to grow with community support.
Hajdu stated that YESS will make it easier for young people- including those facing barriers- to transition from the classroom to the workforce in a press release adding that ensuring a fair chance at success is part of the ministry’s plan.
“The strategy builds on the success of the Youth Employment Strategy to support the next generation of the middle class,” said Hajdu.
“Young Canadians are talented, ambitious and hard-working, but getting a strong start in the workforce can be challenging for many.”
