Youth Employment program wraps up first cohort at Assiniboine

The first 11-week session of Assiniboine Community College’s Youth Employment Skills Strategy (YESS) program wrapped up last week. The first completed cohort, delivered in Dauphin and Russell, Man. will see a total of 16 students receive a certificate of completion.

The program is intended for individuals with little or no significant work experience and who may not have completed their high school education. This is the first of six cohorts that will be delivered over the next three years, made possible through a $900,000 grant from the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Skills Strategy (YESS).

The program is tailored to each student’s educational, career, and personal goals. It is designed to prepare graduates for employment or to complete further education, such as a high school diploma.

“This program has provided a tremendous opportunity for individuals facing barriers to employment. Along with building a work plan for employment or further education, the program strives to build students’ confidence and self-determination,” said Gabe Mercier, Director of Assiniboine’s Parkland Campus.

Thanks to the YESS funding, the program is offered at no cost to those who are accepted into it, and students are paid the provincial minimum wage throughout their training.

“It’s been rewarding to support these young adults in realizing possibilities that exist and assisting them to secure what, for many, is their first paid employment,” said Wendy Lawrence, Instructor for the YESS program in Russell. “They are learning valuable lessons about financial reward for consistent work and the importance of a strong work ethic.”

Students in the program attended classes five full days a week, building essential and employability skills and learning about career exploration and decision making. Throughout the session, students were also able to 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.

“Participants really appreciate the value of these various certificates,” said Jane Delange, Instructor for the YESS program in Dauphin, adding that support in skills like writing a good cover letter also go a long way for these students.

Assiniboine is currently accepting applications for the next 11-week session of the program. More details will be released about this session in the new year.

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