Human Resources, Labour and Employment
March 5, 2008
Makin� it Work Advances Across the Province
The Provincial Government is supporting the Community Centre Alliance
with $120,000 to develop a career and employment strategy for families
living in social housing in Labrador, Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor
and Marystown.
Today, the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour
and Employment, and Amy Percy, General Manager of the Community Centre
Alliance, launched the province-wide expansion of the Makin� it Work
program. This initiative builds upon the Community Centre Alliance�s
successful Makin� it Work pilot project held in St. John�s in 2007.
�I
am pleased to see this community-driven initiative made available to
people living in other social housing communities across the province,�
said Minister Skinner. �Last year, the Community Centre Alliance
demonstrated the value of adopting a straight forward and practical
approach in addressing labour market shortages. I support expanding it
to other areas as we move forward with the neighbourhood-based career
and employment strategy and help more people get connected to work.�
Makin� it Work connects employers experiencing labour shortages with
individuals who want to work. In 2007, over 20 social housing community
members enrolled in the program. The program featured a combination of
in-class instruction in life and essential skills, on-the-job training,
two hospitality industry certifications, and practical work experience
for entry-level housekeeping jobs at the Delta Hotel and Holiday Inn in
St. John�s.
Last year, Allan Thibert participated in the Makin� it Work
program. As a result, he achieved full-time employment with the Holiday
Inn. Mr. Thibert commented, �I had some doubts when I started with
Makin� it Work, if I could get through it. I had been out of school and
unemployed for a long time. Now, I am working full-time, my self-esteem
is high, I love my job and I have purpose in my life.�
In
addition to an expanded Makin� it Work program, the neighbourhood-based
career and employment strategy will improve access to services, enable
the Community Centre Alliance to connect with key stakeholders and
inform community members about locally available programs. It will
encourage collaboration in the delivery of services, provide labour
market information, offer career and employment services directly to
program participants, and identify and connect individuals to job
opportunities with employers. The goal is the creation of a career and
employment service delivery model that supports the needs of social
housing residents.
�We keep hearing that employers can�t find the skilled labour they need.
This program shows we can work with employers to find out what skills
they need, and then support local people to achieve that required skill
level,� said Amy Percy. �We know there are great people out there who
are eager to learn and work here in our province. I look forward to
sharing our project model�s success and supporting its implementation at
the four new locations.�
The Community Centre Alliance is a not-for-profit organization that
provides employment, education and empowerment programs to five
community centre neighbourhoods in St. John�s.
�This government believes in working together with people, community
groups and employers, so that everyone who wants to work can gain access
to the career and employment supports they need at the local level,�
said Minister Skinner.
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Media contacts:
Ed Moriarity
Director
of Communications
Department of Human Resources,
Labour and Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
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Amy Percy
General
Manager
Community Centre Alliance
709-753-5670
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2008 03 05 12:10
p.m.
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