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No barrier is too big for eager students
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Val Willier, left, a support worker for Marigold Enterprises, encouraged Dallas Shepherd to enrol in the vocational exploration program. Shepherd and eight others completed the eight-week program and received certificates.
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Mac Olsen
South Peace News
Some who have faced barriers to employment now have the skills to make the transition to the labour force successfully.
Accredited Supportive Living Services Limited in High Prairie provided an eight-week Vocational Exploration Program for nine people – Angele Cardinal, Joanne Corbiere, Shaun Cunningham, Edward L’Hirondelle, Gerald Siegfries, Guy St. Arnaud, Dallas Shepherd, Garrett Willier and Scott Willier. They graduated April 22 and received certificates of recognition from Service Canada, which funded the program.
“The objective is … to give them more confidence when seeking employment. It was basically to get them work ready,” says Roger Cardinal, employment counsellor for ASLS.
Lori Woodford, a VEP facilitator from Grande Prairie, focused on skill development, self-es-
teem, decision-making and workplace culture. She also facilitated familiarization tours of various businesses and agencies in the High Prairie area.
Customer service, first aid and workplace safety workshops were provided. Siegfries successfully completed a food safety course. The participants also worked on meal planning, budgeting, shopping and food preparation.
Guest speakers discussed topics like moral support, motivation and how to connect with the community.
Dallas Shepherd enjoyed learning about how to get a job and making his own meal.
“It’s really lots of fun,” says Shepherd.
His career choices include working where he could ride quads or washing and detailing cars.
Val Willier, a support worker for Marigold Enterprises, encouraged Shepherd and several other clients to enrol.
“They really like it,” says Willier. “I thought … they would really benefit from it. I just wish there were more programs like it.”
She praises Woodford for focusing on their needs.
VEP is offered in communities across the northwest region on a rotating basis. For more information on its programs, please contact Cardinal’s office at 780-523-5361.
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