Whatever your needs, Jasper has a one-stop-shop for employment services and adult education: the Jasper Adult Learning Centre.
“About 70 per cent of the programming that we offer in the community is employment focused,” said Ginette Marcoux, executive director of the council and centre. And that programming, whether it’s the street front job board or GED preparation with the centre’s literacy and essential skills coach, is well utilized, she said, noting that the centre is a great place to get a step up on other job searchers.
“We have some good insider knowledge on the job market, so for people needing to do a job search, if they’re new to the community and they want to tailor their skills to the openings in the community, meeting with one of our counsellors is an excellent way to expedite that process.”
According to Marcoux, one of the centre’s greatest strengths is that it has a wide range of services all under one roof. “If a client comes to us and it’s not just about getting a job, they also need skills to get a job, we’re able to help them here in the centre,” she said. Last fall, the centre even expanded to include computer labs and classrooms to allow for more learning opportunities. “It’s not just about getting them a job,” said Marcoux, “I like to think that we’re very holistic in what we do.”
An example of that holistic approach is the centre’s Mature Workers’ Program, which teaches unemployed workers between the ages of 50 and 64 the skills they need to be employable and then sends them out to week-long work placements to gain new experience, before helping them in their job search.
“With that program we’ve been able to show a very high success rate, between 85 and 90 per cent of people after taking the program are employed.”
Another service the centre offers to unemployed clients is funding to complete First Aid training or to get a Class 4 driver’s license.
“If people are unemployed and needing some of those certifications to help increase their employment potential, we’re able to fund some of those programs, which is a really nice combination of services,” said Marcoux.
To learn more about the centre’s employment services, drop by the office at 631 Patricia St. Monday to Friday between 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. or call 780-852-4185. To keep up with up to date job postings, check out the job board outside the office or follow Jasper Adult Learning Council on Facebook or jaspercalc on Twitter.
