A new local program aims to help residents with disabilities gain employment.
Strive 4 Work is a 34-week program, teaching participants essential career skills. It also includes a work experience component, which could lead to permanent job placement afterwards.
“A number of clients over the years have said, ‘I want to work in St. Albert, I live in St. Albert, but I have to come to Edmonton to get services,’ ” said Faye Elliott, program director for Strive 4 Work.
Strive 4 Work begins Jan. 28, and is designed to help people with mental health issues and physical and neurological disabilities, such as mobility issues or cerebral palsy.
Elliot said currently people with disabilities have to travel to Edmonton, using employment services provided in the capital city. But travel time, which is costly, often adds more barriers in finding work.
To help give them an alternative, Elliott wanted to create a program right in St. Albert so residents can gain important employment skills.
The program is being run through Edmonton-based organization EmployAbilities and is federally funded. The organization was recently allocated $936,902 through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities to run Strive 4 Work.
The course runs for eight weeks. Over that period, 10 participants will learn communication skills, how to build a resume, interview skills and computer and stress management skills. People can also attend workshops to obtain certificates such as ProServe Liquor Staff Training, and take courses on first aid, CPR and WHMIS.
Participants will also be paid a living wage of $15 per hour for 23 weeks while in the program.
After the coursework is completed, participants will go through a 10-week work experience portion, working at places that have partnered with the organization.
During that time, wages paid to employees will be subsidized by Strive 4 Work.
Alexia McGuigan, program co-ordinator and St. Albert resident, said the program will reach some of the most vulnerable demographics in the city.
“I’m excited to find these individuals who really have, I guess, gone under the radar, and they’re struggling to get back into the workplace or are not sure, or are not feeling confident about their abilities to get back into the workplace,” she explained.
McGuigan previously worked as an employment counsellor helping women who had left abusive relationships. When she found an opening to co-ordinate the program in St. Albert, she applied right away.
From youth struggling with low self-esteem to residents working through mental health issues, McGuigan said she felt the program could help people overcome barriers in finding work.
“St. Albert can be a difficult place to navigate if you’re not maybe a business owner, or somebody who’s well established,” she explained.
Strive 4 Work is open to anyone who lives in St. Albert and is not receiving employment insurance. Participants must be eligible to work in Canada and have a positive attitude toward employment.
The program is located at #310, St. Albert Professional Building, 7 St. Anne Street, St. Albert. For more information, visit: https://employabilities.ab.ca/programs-edmonton-and-greater-area-landing-page/strive-to-work/.
