New Health Care Workers On The Job

NOTE: A list of today's One Journey program graduates follows this release.

The Annapolis Valley's 16 newest continuing care assistants received certificates at a ceremony in Coldbrook today, Dec. 22.

The 16 women, who have guaranteed job offers, prepared for their new careers through the province's One Journey program, which addresses the shortage of skilled workers in some sectors of the economy.

"One Journey is an interesting program," said Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Ramona Jennex, on behalf of Labour and Workforce Development Minister Marilyn More. "It brings the federal and provincial governments together with employers who have unmet and growing needs for skilled workers and trains people to fill those needs."

Each person took a different path to the program. Some were affected by large layoffs in regional industries, while others were referred by the Department of Community Services or were ineligible for Employment Insurance.

The 10-month training was delivered and co-ordinated by PeopleWorx, a not-for-profit organization based in Kentville, that works with clients, employers and other community partners to overcome employment obstacles across the Annapolis Valley.

"The graduates came from varied backgrounds and experiences, and they received rave reviews from the agencies where they trained," said PeopleWorx executive director Bill Travis. "They were dedicated, hard-working and mature, and I know they will do well in their new profession."

One Journey provided the students with continuing care assistant training required by the Department of Health, general workplace skills upgrading, employment counselling and placement services.

Funding and support came from a combination of government and private sector sources.

In February, the Department of Labour and Workforce Development invested $91,091 to support the project. The funding came from the Canada-Nova Scotia Labour Market Agreement, which provides skills training and upgrading to meet job market needs in the province. The Department of Health added $88,000 through its Continuing Care Assistant Bursary Assistance Program.

The Evergreen Home for Special Care-Kentville, Grand View Manor-Berwick, Shannex-Kentville, and Wolfville Nursing Homes Ltd. offered on-the-job experience and supervision, lab space, advice to the trainers and guaranteed positions for graduates.

Over the past two years, One Journey has trained 60 continuing care assistants for positions in Antigonish, New Glasgow, Tatamagouche, Truro and the Valley. Through 10 other One Journey programs, about 105 people trained to become professional truck drivers and residential counsellors.

Today's One Journey program graduates:
Krista Andersen, Kentville Theresa Bennett, Kentville Jackie Coldwell, Wolfville Brenda Corkum, Lakeville Wendy Gertridge, Kentville Sheryl Gould, Aylesford Dorothy Greene, Centreville Karen Harvey, Black Rock Lori Harvey-Peelar, Centreville Karen Jessop, Newport Station Christina Lamb-Woodworth, New Minas Gillian Mackin, Kentville Glenda Martin, New Minas Sherry Muise, North Alson Andrea Rockwell, Cambridge Sonya Schofield, Kentville