(formerly TradesWork!)
Employ! Youth Employment Program
If you are a youth and want to make a change to become independent and self-reliant, theEmploy! program is set up to help you achieve those goals. Employ! is a paid employment program designed to improve communication, problem solving, critical thinking and interview skills. Participants receive 5 weeks of class, 2 weeks of supported job search and a six week practicum placement. Participants will also receive various employment related supports, certificates and job coaching.
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The next program intake is October 4th, 2010.
Are you an applicant or an employer?
What Employ! Is About ~ For Participants
The Employ! program is designed to assist participants in developing marketable skills so they can:
- Understand the characteristics and skills that support living independently and apply these skills to the work place
- Gain experience in a field of employment that will either support their long-term employment goals or support their efforts to become more independent; and/or
- Aggressively pursue their academic studies with support from a Tutor/Mentor
- Earn an income and continue their academic studies
Who Can Apply?
Youth can discuss their interest in the Employ! program by contacting an employment counsellor at Connections Career Centre. Referred applicants will complete an application form, will be able to identify the barriers that restrict their independence and self-reliance, and have a strong commitment to planned change.
What You Will Get From Employ! :
- Classes in communication, critical thinking and employers’ expectations
- The opportunity to be matched with a Tutor/Mentor for assistance with Employ! course studies, and academic course studies should applicants pursue upgrading
- Additional courses such as First Aid, FoodSafe, etc.
- The basic tools and clothing that are required to meet the expectations of a new employer
- A bus pass if required
- Support of a full-time job placement co-ordinator who co-ordinates paid practicums and job interviews for the participants that complete the Employ! Program
- Access to a paid practicum with local employers
How Will Employ! Help You Reach Your Goals
First, the Employ! program prepares the participants to meet the challenges of employment and academic learning. This is accomplished during 7 weeks of skills training. The training is designed to enhance communication, problem solving and critical thinking skills. When the training is completed, the participants will have a clear understanding of how to:
- Communicate effectively by:
- Listening to others for the purpose of gathering information and separating facts from opinions
- Respecting the rights of others to express opposing thoughts and arguments
- Using their communication skills to negotiate differences they may have with the positions and interests of others
- Maintaining an open and honest communication style so that the communication of others is respected
- Think critically by:
- Developing generalized opinions into solid positions
- Evaluating their own arguments as well as the arguments of others
- Assessing the truth of the positions they take
- Learning how to interpret, analyze, evaluate, infer, explain, and regulate their thinking
- Understand employers’ expectations by:
- Reviewing a list of characteristics and resulting behaviours that employers expect their staff to value
- Understanding how to connect and apply communication and critical thinking skills to their jobs
- Appreciating the competitive nature of the employment market so that they can be better prepared to compete effectively
Second, the
Employ! project supports each participant in his or her search for full or part-time work. This is accomplished through the work of the job placement co-ordinator, local employers, and the participant. The primary goal is to enter a paid work practicum where the participant can establish a reputation and build employability skills. Upon completion of a paid practicum, the participant’s performance reviews are marketed to other employers for either full or part-time work. The paid practicum acts as a stepping stone in competing for employment and/or returning to school, and ultimately, self-reliance
What Is Expected Of You
There is a detailed Employ! program application that must be filled out with an employment counsellor at Connections Career Centre. After the application has been submitted, there is a one-hour interview with the Project Coordinator to assess the applicant’s expectations of the Program. During the interview the Project Coordinator also outlines what the program has to offer and the expectations that will be placed on the applicant, such as:
- To attend classes consistently and punctually – these behaviours will be viewed as the minimum evidence that the participant is capable of meeting the stringent demands that accompany being employed
- To acknowledge the support services that accompany participating in the Employ! program and to take full advantage of those services
- To respect and abide by the policies of the Employ! program which are outlined by the Project Coordinator during the interview
What Employ! Is About ~ For Employers
The Employ! program is a comprehensive Youth Employment Program sponsored by Service Canada aimed at assisting young people become self-reliant and independent.
The goal of the program is for youth to enter a paid work practicum where the participant can establish a reputation and build employability skills. Upon completion of the paid practicum, the participant will have acquired work specific skills and a positive reference to be marketed to other employers for either full or part-time employment. The paid practicum acts as a stepping stone in competing for employment and/or returning to school.
What Employ! Can Do For Employers
- Community Futures will pay the wages and all other employer related costs, including WCB, during the 210 hour practicum
- Pay all job related expenses for the employee such as training courses or specialized clothing and tools
- Provide you with the opportunity to try out a new employee at no cost to your company
- Give you the support of a job coach and training specialist if needed
- Access to a labour pool of past program participants
Downloadable forms:
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