At the Portage Rotary luncheon yesterday, the Portage Learning and Literacy Centre discussed the approval for their Work Experience Program until 2020. Program Coordinator Erin Myran says they are currently accepting applicants. 

Myran says applicants must be between 15 and 30-years-old, live in the Central Plains area, and face a barrier to employment. Myran explains what the barriers could be.

"As defined by the Government of Canada can be a high school non-completion, a disability, indigenous origin, residence in a rural or a remote location, a lone single parent, a visible or ethnic minority, an official language minority or a recent immigrant," says Myran.

Myran explains the program starts quickly on the first day, where participants are assessed for job readiness, and if accepted, review their orientation package, do interview skills and are introduced to their employer, where they get their work schedule and identify their supervisors.

As part of the program, Myran acts as a liaison between the employer and the participant.

"If anything should arise that either of them doesn't know how to address, they can always call me in to assist," Myran says.

During the program, Myran does weekly in-person check-ins with each applicant and employer to make sure they're both getting what they need out of the program.

Currently, Myran is looking for seven new applicants. Right now there are eight active participants, as well as three that are finished. She says by the end of 2020, the program will have helped 73 youth find jobs.

For each employer who takes part, Myran says there are financial benefits.

"We are able to reimburse the employer for wages at minimum wage plus the MERCS, the mandatory employment-related costs, of up to a maximum of 487 and-a-half hours which is just under a six-thousand-dollar savings. For a small to medium-sized business, that's huge, that's your training dollars," explains Myran.

Many local businesses have already taken part. Myran thanked her 2016-2017 employers some of which include Youth for Christ, the Canadian Mental Health Association Central Region, the Portage Curling Club, Tim Hortons, chiropractor Bruce Narvey, Sobey's and the Portage Friendship Centre. This year employers include DC Security, HD Masonry, Tornado's, Brite Smile Dental Clinic, Canadian Tire, MCC Thrift Shop, and the Portage Regional Recreation Authority.

The program wraps up on March 31st and new intake will begin on April 1st, 2018. You can find out more information at pllc.ca