It’s been just over two years since the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies Creighton Work Prep Centre (CWPC) set up shop.
Since then, things have really taken off.
“I’m very, very happy with this success and the way we’re growing,” said Myrna Ewing, the centre’s manager. “People are coming, all our programs and clients, they voluntarily came to our centre.”
Ewing, along with the CWPC’s three full-time workers, gathered leaders of local groups and businesses at the centre on Bereskin Avenue last Friday, Sept. 2. Over bannock and stew, Ewing showcased the ins and outs of the centre’s programs.
The centre is run by several different groups, primarily the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Economy, Northlands College and Peter Ballantyne First Nation. Since opening in July 2014, the centre has found jobs for 173 workers.
CWPC is one pf eight SIIT-run employment centres in Saskatchewan. Most CWPC clients, about 90 per cent, are of aboriginal descent and hail from the surrounding area.
The centre gives people a place to do all of the tasks associated with finding work, including searching job postings, writing resumes and cover letters, and polishing up interview skills.
After consulting with the centre’s on-site job coach, students can identify their strengths and weaknesses, and work to improve.
CWPC has books for loan that prepare potential workers for GED tests and advanced training, and features an on-site computer lab for students.
“Not everybody has internet access, not everybody has hand devices,” says Theresa Wride, the centre’s job coach. “With them coming here, they can keep in contact with their families.”
CWPC also offers education in both Saskatchewan and the stricter Alberta workplace safety accreditation.
“It’s all about helping people with their next step, to be able to gain work,” said Wride.
“To gain work, employers often ask for certain training certificates in order to work on certain sites and do certain jobs.”
Ewing said the centre also offers driver’s training and various supports in “just trying to help a person figure out what they want to do.”
CWPC can cater its training to meet the needs of new workers and employers.
“I’m trying to get in touch with subcontractors just to see what kind of workers they’re going to be looking for,” said Ewing. “We’ll let our clients know if they have these skills and qualifications and work experience that there’s a work opportunity there.”
