Stephenville -
Human Resources, Labour and Employment Minister Susan Sullivan is hoping in addition to those who need to find jobs, that employers will make use of the Career Work Centre in Stephenville.
She was on hand for the official opening of the new facility at 29 Carolina Ave. in Stephenville on Tuesday morning, which had a large group of people in attendance for the first western Newfoundland centre of a provincewide network of 14 planned, with this one making 11 now in operation.
The remaining three include one in St. Anthony, another in Corner Brook and the other in Marystown.
"This will better connect the job seeks to the employers," Sullivan said. "The centre's meeting room can be used to conduct interviews for vacant positions or hold training sessions; while job seekers can find out where employment opportunities exist and get one-on-one help preparing for these opportunities."
There's a bright and prosperous future ahead for Newfoundland and Labrador and the minister said government wants to ensure every Newfoundlander and Labradorian has access to the prosperity they know exists in this province.
"We are on the brink of a very bright future, which will be bolstered by some megaprojects," she said. "This centre should be your one-stop shop when it comes to seeking employment and they will help advance the local labour market and development."
Sullivan said part of their strategy was the recent launch of a program, valued at $15 million, to bring young people back to the province.
Young people originally from this province now living in other areas of Canada were asked for their input and employment was the Number 1 priority, followed by quality education.
She said they have produced 41 action initiatives these young people asked them to move towards, as the goal is to insure young people have direct input into shaping the future of the province to meet their needs "Our ultimate objective is to see Newfoundland and Labrador becomes a place of choice to live and work for our youth," Sullivan said.
Maureen Tiller, regional manager for Career, Employment and Youth Services and Community Partnership, said 10 years ago she was one of two initial employment and career services staff with Human Resources and Employment hired to assess, counsel, implement and promote career related service and programs in the Bay St. George area, delivering two lines of business - income support and employment and career services.
"Now in Bay St. George we have 17 staff to deliver employment and labour market services and programs within seven lines of business. Boy, have we grown," she said.
She said staff takes great pride in the role it played in the planning and development of their Career Work Centre and looks forward to improving employment outcomes for individuals and support economic growth and development within the Bay St. George area.
The centre offers a client driven drop-in centre; latest technology in equipment and resources; adaptive equipment and computer station for persons with disabilities; a fully equipped training room; and up-to-date resources for employers including information related industry adjustment and human resources.
Sullivan said she was pleased to be in Stephenville to make this announcement as this town and her district, which includes Grand Falls-Windsor, have some things in common, including the closures of both its newsprint mills.
She said not only is this centre itself providing extra jobs in the area but is helping people in the area land jobs that will be for the benefit of the local economy.
