Employment
NECRC is dedicated to increasing the level of employment in the North End. NECRC achieves its goals through the NECRC - PATH Resource Centre and the Employment Development System Committee (EDS).
PATH works one on one with residents to:
- Help identify personal and employment goals
- Implement action plans to reach these goals
PATH helps employers:
- Recruit qualified employees
EDS works with NECRC and PATH to:
- Identify and respond to areas of need in employment services
PATH Resource Centre
Located at 627 Selkirk Avenue, PATH was created in response to a gap in services for individuals facing multiple barriers to employment. PATH offers services to help individuals overcome their long-term struggles to obtain meaningful employment and has been a critical revitalization component of the North End since October 2000.
- PATH Resource Centre services include:
- In-depth career assessments and one-on-one counselling support
- Supported career and job placement
- Job search, personal development, and computer workshops
- Access to computers, fax, phone and printer
- PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) – a goal setting tool for clients
2008-2009 Achievements
There were approximately 10,000 participant visits for computer access, workshops, counselling, employment information and general services. More than 945 individuals walked through the doors of the PATH Centre seeking assistance from our two Employment Counsellors. Of these approximately 945 mostly north end residents, 230 were able to secure employment.
The Mentorship program’s two Counsellors provided counselling and other support services to approximately 200 participants over the year. Although there are no expectations of employment with Mentorship clients, we are pleased to report that 8 such clients were able to secure full time employment and, at the time of this report, continue to be employed.
Over 60 participants attended PATH’s annual Client Christmas Open House. All participants received a small gift item and one of 30 food hampers or a turkey or ham and all were eligible for one of 15 prize draws, with the bulk of the prizes donated by staff. In addition, approximately 30 Mentorship participants enjoyed a bowling and barbeque luncheon activity in June.
With the marked increase in employment services activities, PATH was able to enter into a dialogue with the funder to begin plans to evolve and grow the agency into an even more responsive entity for the north end. These negotiations are on-going. As of this report, the plan will see PATH grow from a two-program agency to a three-program agency which will include a skills –development component and the addition of two new full time staff positions.
Employment Development System Committee
The Employment Development System Committee (EDS) was first formed by NECRC in 2000 to identify and respond to gaps in services leading to the employment of North End residents.
EDS Committee goals:
- Identify services provided within the North End
- Identify and build on the strengths of existing services
- Identify and address gaps in service
- Implement action plans as a collective group
- Evaluate the results
North End agencies play an active role in developing employment and training strategies and generating projects to revitalize the North End. The unprecedented level of information sharing between agencies has allowed for effective strategic planning geared towards residents and businesses.
In April 2010, EDS hosted its 4th Annual North End Community & Family Resource Career Fair in partnership with R.B. Russell High School. Over 170 local residents, including children and youth, came out and met with area organizations, agencies and education institutes, along with several employers. There were 50 booths registered for the event.
Employment Exchange Committee
In May 2005 a formal agreement was signed with SEED Winnipeg to act as a liaison between Social Purchasing Portal business partners and North End and Inner City employment agencies that have clients looking for work. From this initiative, the Employment Exchange Committee (EEC) was formed. The EEC now includes 16 member agencies. To date, 124 businesses participate as active members of the Social Purchasing Portal.
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