11-week Youth Transition program offered in Dauphin and Russell

Assiniboine Community College will offer a Parkland Youth Transition program over the next three years thanks to a $900,000 grant from the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program (YESS).

The 11-week program, delivered in both Dauphin and Russell, Man., will welcome six separate cohorts comprised of students aged 15 to 30 for a total of 80 students over three years. The program is intended for individuals with little or no significant work experience and who may not have completed their high school education.

“This opportunity is designed to support youth facing barriers to employment in the Parkland region, to help them with transitioning into the workforce or bridging to further education pathways,” said Gabe Mercier, Director of Assiniboine’s Parkland Campus in Dauphin, Man. “This also includes visible minorities, Indigenous youth, youth with disabilities and newcomers.”

The program focuses on essential skills and is tailored to each student’s educational, career, and personal goals. Following their studies, graduates of the program will be better prepared for employment or to complete further education, such as a high school diploma.

“We will assist each student in developing a work plan for employment or further education, and we will teach them about the opportunities available to them in the local labour market,” said Mercier. “Building confidence and self-determination in one’s future is an important aspect of this program.”

The first two intakes of students in both Dauphin and Russell will begin the last week of September and wrap up by mid-December.

The program is being offered at no cost to those who are accepted into it, and students will be paid provincial minimum wage throughout their training.

Classes are held five full days a week with curriculum modules focusing on a variety of topics including essential skills, employability skills, career exploration and decision making. Students will also earn certification and complete workshops in a wide range of practical areas such as food safety, first aid, social media etiquette, basic keyboarding and workplace hazardous materials.

Upon successful completion of the full 11-week program, students receive a certificate of achievement.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Parkland Youth Transition program is encouraged to contact the Parkland campus directly at 1.204.622.2222 or by emailing parklandinfo@assiniboine.net.