The Government of Saskatchewan will be funding a program to help internally-educated newcomers gain employment.
The Bridging to Employment program got $638,000 in funding through the Canada-Saskatchewan Labour Market Transfer Agreements on Tuesday, Mar 1.
Uduak Bassey, communications consultant with the Ministry of Trade and Export Development told northeastNOW that regions such as Prince Albert, La Ronge, Tisdale, Melfort, Nipawin and Wakaw have been seeing a labour shortage.
“The northeast area had around 990 job vacancies posted collectively on SaskJobs and National Job Bank on February 27, 2022. Among those vacancies, sales and service; trades, transport and equipment operators; and health were the top 3 occupational groups.”
The Bridging to Employment Initiative is a 20-week program that will help internationally trained newcomers develop essential skills for the workplace. The skills include communication, job readiness, workplace culture and digital literacy.
“Participants develop tools such as resumes, cover letters, and provide job interview preparation and receive support with career planning and job attainment.”
Once the participants complete 10-weeks of in-class training, they will have the opportunity to have a 10-week paid work experience placement. The program will allow for 60 participants.
To be eligible for the program, applicants will need to have education, credentials and skills from a country outside of Canada and have been unable to make a successful transition to the Canadian labour market.
Additional requirements include being legally able to work in the province, over the age of 18 and be facing barriers to employment.
Bassey explains interested applicants can not apply to this program by themselves.
“Participants must be referred to the program by Saskjobs Career Services. Saskjobs Career Services will provide career counselling services to identify career and training opportunities.”
For those wanting more information on the Bridging to Employment program, call 1-833-613-0485 or email careerservices@gov.sk.ca
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Rachel.May@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @RachelMayFM
