$6.5M to increase employment supports across Alberta and in the Lakeland

Alberta’s government has invested $6.5 million to provide additional career and employment services to support underserved Albertans and areas of the Lakeland.

As part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, 41 grants were awarded to service providers based in communities throughout the province to help underemployed Albertans get back to work. These grants are part of a partnership with the federal government.

“Albertans are being hit hard by the pandemic. As part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, this funding increases employment services across the province to help Albertans build their skills and start planning and building for the future,” Jason Luan, Minister of Community and Social Services said.

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the government says Alberta’s Recovery Plan will provide the help businesses and families need to get back on their feet as the economy recovers.

“WINS is committed to providing the resources to help Albertans by giving them the skills, tools and confidence to thrive,” Karen Ramchuk, president and CEO, Women in Need Society (WINS) said. “Thanks to the generous financial support from Alberta’s government, WINS launched Warehouse Ready by WINS. Warehouse Ready helps people prepare for work in the warehouse sector, providing practical skills development in health and safety, WHMIS, forklift operation and first aid training. We are so grateful for this support, allowing us to help Albertans gain meaningful employment opportunities.”

“This grant has helped many people reach their full potential by gaining employment or furthering their education,” Wayne Di Lallo, director, Directions For Wellness said. “Participants have had remarkable progress; one person with developmental disabilities secured their first paid job at a local restaurant. Others have found employment and become financially independent.”

The organizations receiving funding offer a range of supports targeted at a wide variety of people, including women with barriers to employment, youth with disabilities, and unemployed oil and gas workers transitioning into new industries and sectors.

Increasing employment supports across the province is just one way that Alberta’s government says it is helping to rebuild Alberta’s economy and support people’s return to the workforce.