Latest news with #ProspectHumanServices
CTV News
10 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Province gives $1.2M to post-military career services for veterans
Alberta Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services speaks at a media conference announcing funding to help connect former military and public safety personnel with meaningful civilian careers. The Alberta government is pledging more than $1 million to help veterans find and pursue careers after their military service. Receiving $1.2 million in funding from the province is Prospect Human Services' Forces@Work program, which gives specialized support to former military and public service workers in their search for civilian careers. David Blackburn, the director of military employment services at Prospect Human Services and a retired Canadian Armed Force major, said Tuesday at a media conference there is great interest from employers looking to hire veterans through Forces@Work. He said the program 'easily achieves and exceeds that 70 per cent threshold that we're looking at to try and get people into employment.' According to the province, the program offers several services, including peer support, career planning, job search assistance, and resume and interview preparation. 'It's a high-performing program, and for the people that we're helping, it's life-changing,' Blackburn said. Jason Nixon, the minister of assisted living and social services, said Tuesday the success of the program gives the province the confidence to invest in it. He gave the example of standard construction employment assistance through the province's income supports program that sees more than 80 per cent of the people in it find jobs in the field, a 'very, very high (number) from a success aspect of the program.' 'It's one of those great moments in government where you can see a simple taxpayer investment ending up having a big payoff for individuals that are utilizing the program,' Nixon told media. 'A lot of our other programs cost a lot more than this.' With files from CTV News Edmonton's Galen McDougall
Calgary Herald
12 hours ago
- Business
- 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.
