The Jasper Adult Learning Centre has received renewed funding to relaunch its successful Mature Workers' Program, which retrained nearly 30 older workers between 2012 and 2013, preparing them to reenter the workforce.
The free 12-week training program, which begins again Oct. 13, provides skills training for unemployed or underemployed individuals aged 55 to 65 and is funded by grants from both the federal and provincial governments.
“The point of the program, of the grant, is to get people working,” said Jill Stafford, the program's coordinator. “We don't have enough employees for the community and I think seniors are a perfect fit because they have housing and they have local knowledge and those are the two things that we miss in Jasper, plus they're also reliable and they tend to be long term and flexible.”
This year, the program will be run in conjunction with the learning centre's Tourism Essentials Program, so the older workers will be in a classroom with Jasperites between the age of 18 and 65.
“There will be a meshing of communities,” said Stafford. “So, the younger people will learn that seniors aren't old fuddy-duddies and the seniors will gain those connections with younger people in the community as well.”
Stafford said the way that it will work is the program's trainer, Michelle Booth-Uyeda, will gauge where each participant's starting point is and tailor the program specifically to them. For instance, if a participant doesn't know how to type on a keyboard, she'll start her training there. But with a student who is more adept, she will provide them with personalized training on more complex computer programs.
As well as computer skills, participants will also gain life and career management skills, financial training, resume and interview skills and community-based knowledge, including local history.
To be eligible for the program, participants must be between 18 and 65 years of age, Jasper residents, under or unemployed, in need of skill development, legally able to work in Canada, and ready and willing to work at the end of the program.
The program runs from Oct. 13 to Dec. 31, with classes taking place five days a week from 9 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. There are also occasional weekends for specific training, like first aid and mental health first aid.
Once the 12 weeks are up, participants will be assisted in finding work in the community. Stafford said that will include opportunities to job shadow, so that participants can gain a greater understanding of the jobs available to them and what they entail.
Brian Nesbitt is a graduate of the Mature Workers' Program.
Reflecting on the experience, he said there is no way he would have been hired for his dream summer job, working with the bike tour company, Backroads without the training he received in the program.
“Before the program, I had never even written out a resume,” said the retired railroader, who was hired on the spot at the start of his 35-year career.
“It gave me the skills to find jobs in today's environment and the tools to apply for a job.”
As well as learning to write a resume and interview for jobs, Nesbitt said he also garnered a certificate to be an interpretive guide, as well as his Class 2 driver's license, giving him the skills to not only guide, but drive tour buses.
“I don't think there would have been a hope of getting that job without the skills I got in that program.
“I would encourage anybody who's mature and looking for challenges to look into it. I definitely recommend it.”
To learn more about the Mature Workers' Program, or the Tourism Essentials Program, visit the Jasper Adult Learning Centre at 631 Patricia St. or call 780-852-4418.
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
