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MAKING
EMPLOYMENT A PRIORITY
Employment
is key if people are to escape poverty and its consequences. Yet, for
many Canadians, finding employment is not easy.
To help those seeking work, specialized expertise is needed. Many of the
essential skills are similar to those necessary for counseling. Delivering
effective employment supports, however, also requires detailed knowledge
of employers and the labour market. To be successful, employment supports
must bridge the gap between the needs of clients and employers.
Who
Needs Employment Supports?
Many
people in Ottawa need assistance to find employment. Some need training
and help to access employment information, apply for jobs and prepare
for interviews. Still others are not yet ready to participate in formal
training or employment programs for one or more reasons:
- their
English or French may not be good enough;
- their
qualifications may not be recognized in this country;
- they
may lack Canadian experience;
- they
may not have completed high school;
- they
may face a variety of mental, social, physical or psychological challenges;
or
- they
may lack basic needs such as food and housing.
Poorly
served by existing training programs, individuals at this 'pre-employment'
stage may require access to a range of supports such as counseling, anger
management and addiction services before they can secure jobs.
Why
Community Health and Resource Centres?
Community
health and resource centres (CHRCs) are well placed to deliver a broad
range of employment-support programs. We know our communities; we know
the groups and individuals who face the greatest barriers to employment.
We already offer crisis and other counseling services, and we provide
assistance with transportation and food vouchers. We also regularly assist
people who face multiple barriers to full participation in society. |
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