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Calgary Herald

Alberta to invest $1.2 million to help former military and public safety personnel rejoin the workplace

Alberta is investing $1.2 million into a not-for-profit program which will help former military and public service personnel rejoin the workforce. Article content Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon announced at a press conference on Tuesday that the funding will go towards the Prospect Human Services' Forces@WORK program which has helped more than 1,300 military and public safety personnel transition into civilian careers since 2011. Article content Article content Article content Nixon said the funding would help support at least another 100 veterans. Article content Article content 'Our government is committed to working with service providers across the province to improve employment for all Albertans, ensuring Alberta remains the best place to live and work, but particularly with those men and women who have served to be able to protect us or care for us in our community,' Nixon said. Article content 'We've chosen to partner with the Forces@Work program as it has already successfully helped our public safety personnel have a strong connection with the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP and other public safety organizations.' Article content David Blackburn, senior manager of program operations and director of military employment service at Prospect Human Services, said the funding has allowed the organization to expand its services beyond the military to include military members, veterans and first responders. Article content Article content The organization's Forces@WORK program is one of the most successful of all the programs offered at Prospect Human Services, Blackburn said. One of the program's biggest draws is the calibre of individuals who are looking for jobs who have very significant skillsets and are often highly transferable. Article content 'Our Forces@WORK program easily achieves and exceeds that 70 per cent threshold that we're looking at trying to get people into employment. It's a high performing program and the people that we're helping — it's life changing,' he said. Article content The program offers individualized assessments and customized supports based on their experiences such as peer support, career planning, job search assistance, resume and interview preparation, training and support to maintain employment. Article content Justin Wright, the Alberta government's military liaison to the Canadian Armed Forces, works with several organizations including Prospect Human Services. He said in 2024 they had 1,500 interactions with people who came looking for support groups, mental health and education opportunities.