The seventh annual Boundary Youth Success Program is about to begin with 10 new participants setting out to further their employability skills.
Funded by Service Canada, the program is designed to assist youth ages 15 to 30 that face various barriers to employment.
The 14-week course offers an array of life skills, training, certification and employability skills that enable the youth to enter the workforce, return to work or return to schooling.
Under the guidance of the Community Futures Boundary, Program Co-ordinator Holly Hume operates the program from Community Futures and other community spaces in Grand Forks.
Holly schedules qualified facilitators to teach the youth in various areas. Katy Spark, Cindy Alblas, and James Wilson each spend time with the group to develop their skill set and prepare them for the workforce.
Spark, Alblas, and Wilson each focus on communication, presentation, personal management and creative development. In-house counselling by Darrin Pratt enables the youth to manage personal issues.
The personal successes achieved by participants in previous years, demonstrates the value of Boundary Youth Success Program.
Community Futures continues to see an increase in the number of applicants each year, largely due to public awareness.
The certificates received during the program have enabled some participants to venture out of the area in search for meaningful employment. Some of the certificates obtained include WHMIS, Fire Suppression, Food Safe, World Host, First Aid with CPR, H2S Alive and Serving it Right.
They Boundary Youth Success Program will run from Jan. 23 to April 27 and the deadline for applications is Jan. 11.
For further information on programs and services contact Community Futures Boundary at 250-442-2722 or visit our website at www.boundarycf.com.
– Contributed by Holly Hume, Community Futures Boundary
