Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) has brought to 亚洲天堂 Lake a program they have been successfully running in Prince George for the last 15 years.

鈥淏ecause of the success in Prince George, CSFS has been lobbying, writing proposals for years, to get this on the ground,鈥� said Mary Teegee, Director of Child and Family Services for CSFS. 鈥淲e knew that it would work in 亚洲天堂 Lake.鈥�

The program first branched out to 亚洲天堂 Lake in 2014 in a pilot project which saw 20 candidates complete the nine-week program. Of the 20, four participants found full-time employment and two returned to school for a trades program.

The 亚洲天堂 Lake bridging to employment program, sponsored by the CSFS and the ministry of jobs, tourism and skills training, is in full swing now with 16 participants registered for a 10-week program. The program started on Nov. 30, 2015, and participants have been learning employment readiness and on-the-job skills. The program also focuses on life skills which enhance a person鈥檚 fundamental skills for employment.

鈥淭hrough this program they are able to empower themselves and look to a strong future,鈥� said Teegee. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we鈥檙e trying to do with this program, to empower individuals so we can empower our nation.鈥�

John Patrick, Bridging to Employment Coordinator and Life Skills Coach, explained that the program is designed to be more culturally specific, with detailed lessons in language teaching, hunting, trapping, bead work and Aboriginal artistry.

The participants will also take part in a two-week job placement, where they learn valuable on-the-job experience with local merchants. Patrick said there are no businesses lined up for job placement yet because the participants have yet to decide what they鈥檇 like to do and where they would like to work.

The grand finale of the program will be a potlatch ceremony hosted by the graduating class and local hereditary chiefs. Patrick said the entire community will be invited to take part in the ceremony. The program is expected to finish up on Feb. 19, 2016, and the next class has a tentative start date for March 21, 2016. Contact John Patrick at 250-692-3997.