Learners apply new skills to gain employment

by Keith Powell — July 23, 2013

The Employment Skills Access (ESA) Program serves disadvantaged and low-skilled learners who are unemployed or underemployed. To meet local employer and learner demand, Selkirk College has been delivering relevant workplace training for the past five years with funding provided through the Canada-BC Labour Market Agreement.

Developing employable skills

The ESA Program delivers training to marginalized youth, individuals with disabilities, indigenous peoples, immigrants, first generation post-secondary students and older workers. The goal of the program is to allow learners to develop/improve their skills for employment.

Training programs include office administration (24 weeks), computer skills (five weeks), professional driver training (nine weeks), early childhood care and education assistant certification. All programs include career and employment counseling, job search support, mentorship, job readiness training and many include work placements.

Students receive college support through academic and personal counseling, accommodation for disabilities, tutoring and learning skills development, financial support through work study positions and campus food banks, and ongoing coaching/mentoring from ESA staff.

Great success stories

Over 300 participants have received training through the ESA Program and all have gained a higher level of self-awareness and confidence. Over 90% of participants have completed their program and graduated. At the present time, 60% of the participants have entered/re-entered the workforce and 10% are continuing their education.

Testimonials profile the impact of the training on participants. M.G. desperately wanted to provide for her family but could barely make ends meet cleaning office buildings. With her new professional driver certification, M.G. secured a full-time position with a local trucking company and is home every night to care for her family. RV recently emigrated from India and was not able to find work with her Indian science degree. She had significant language barriers and a lack of confidence but was determined to complete the office administration program and find a job. Once she found work, her husband was able to move to Canada and he has recently completed the professional driver training program.

Selkirk College is proud of the learner successes in these programs.