Corner Brook -
The provincial government officially opened the new Career Work Centre in Corner Brook Friday, but the centre has already transformed some lives.
Sherry Humber had been out of the workforce for years for personal reasons.
When she wanted to get back to work, she needed help to get ready and found that assistance through the employment transition program offered to single parents through the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment.
The nine-week program, just one of several initiatives available at the centre, focuses not just on how to write an impressive resume and land a job. It also teaches participants life skills, how to assess their personality, identify their individual interests and talents and build self-esteem and communication proficiency.
"If I did not do this program, I probably would not have went out and got a job, not because I couldn't work or wasn't capable," said Humber. "I was just too afraid to talk to anybody. Now, I could fight the devil."
The program brought Cindy Saunders out of her shell too.
"I'm not shy any more," she said. "When you come to the centre, it gives you more perspective on life and jobs and opens you up to new things."
Terri Anstey, another participant, enjoyed the program so much she wants to do it again to see how much more she can improve her quality of life even more.
"I went from my self-esteem being down in my boots to having self-esteem through the roof," she said. "I think I now have more self-confidence than anybody else here."
There are now 12 such employment support facilities up and running in the province, including centres in Stephenville and Springdale. The network will soon expand to 14 with centres planned for St. Anthony and Marystown.
Each Career Work Centre has been designed to be a community-based resource that can help employers fill vacancies and help individuals improve their employment prospects. Employers and community leaders can use the centres to avail of valuable statistics and timely information about employment trends or use the facility's meeting space to conduct interviews for vacant positions or hold training sessions. Job seekers can use the centres to get one-on-one help from staff as they seek out opportunities to develop their careers. In addition, a telephone, fax, photocopier, and computer are available at no cost to anyone searching for employment.
The Corner Brook centre, located on the second floor of 1-3 Union St., was officially opened by Human Resources, Labour and Employment Minister Susan Sullivan.
"I am very pleased to see the Career Work Centre network extended to one of the most populous and economically diverse regions in the province," said Sullivan. "There are almost 1,400 businesses in the Corner Brook area, the majority of which are small to medium sized firms that need qualified people to fill vacancies as they grow and evolve. Our Career Work Centres are helping employers and job seekers connect throughout the province, and I am confident this new facility will help many residents in this area satisfy their employment goals."
What's available
Resources:
- Internet access
- newspapers
- magazines
- audio and video materials
- print resources
- other materials that support individuals looking for labour market, work and career information
Services:
- work search
- resume writing
- career planning
- entrepreneurship
- life skills
- workshops on labour market trends
- assist employers with human resource planning, recruitment and training.
