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Human Resources, Labour, and Employment
May 7, 2010

Transition to Work through Community Network to Receive Funding

To help address the specific challenges those with mental health issues confront in finding and retaining employment, the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, was in Clarenville today to announce a commitment of $25,000 to the Transition to Work through Community Network.

"Persons with a serious mental illness face many barriers to employment," said Minister Sullivan. "These barriers include gaps in work history and limited employment experience. The Williams Government is pleased to make this funding commitment because we understand that achieving true inclusion is about ensuring everyone can fully participate in all aspects of our society and our growing economy."

Transition to Work through Community Network is a sixteen-week collaborative project involving the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, Ability Employment Corporation, Canadian Mental Health Association — Built Networks, Eastern Health, and six employer partners - Clarenville Co-op, Clarenville Inn, Home Hardware, St. Jude Hotel, Rodways, and Cabot Pharmacy. The project will be overseen by an advisory group of mental health and employment and career specialists.

Ability Employment Corporation will provide participants with a combination of skills development, personal development, specialized career planning services and exposure to diverse work places through a job shadowing component with local employers.

The program includes three components:

  • An eight-week online program will enhance employability skills while offering support from within the group and input from health care professionals and employment specialists.
     

  • Two weeks of workshops are offered in a group setting to cover such areas as first aid; occupational health & safety; Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHIMS); healthy eating; budgeting and money management; communications and employer expectations.
     

  • A six-week job shadowing component which will see six employer partners offer participants the experience of working in diverse work environments for a period of one week.

"This is a great announcement for our organization, and for our clients," said Camilla O'Shea, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ability Employment Corporation. "The program funding will allow participants to explore and experience diverse employment placements, while also offering a supportive environment to transition back into the workforce or make the very first attachment to the labour market."

"This funding will provide important supports for persons with disabilities as they seek meaningful employment, achieve greater self-reliance and contribute to the Trinity North region," said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, MHA for the District of Trinity North. "I look forward to seeing the results of this program, and I also look forward to the creation of more opportunities for persons with disabilities throughout the province."

The Ability Employment Corporation is a non-profit corporation that provides career counseling and job development services to persons with mental, physical, and learning disabilities. The corporation has been supported by the local office of the Department of Human Resources Labour and Employment in Clarenville and Bonavista for eighteen years.

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Media contacts:

Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 697-5216
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
Chick Cholock
Executive Assistant to
Hon. Ross Wiseman, MHA for Trinity North
709-729-0739
chickcholock@gov.nl.ca
Camilla O'Shea
Chair, Board of Directors
Ability Employment Corporation
709-466-1670
abilityemploymentcorporation@nf.aibn.com
 

2010 05 07                           11:30 a.m.


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