A new program coordinator's been with the Portage Learning and Literacy Centre (PLLC) since September and is excited about her new 12-week youth employment strategy program that's just been given the thumbs-up for a three-year extension. 

"I'm newly onboard," says Erin Myran. "I started at the end of September, so I've been here for four or five months. It's a newly-funded program. There were youth programs prior to this that were administered through the (Portage) Learning and Literacy Centre. But an application was put for a pilot-run for this new program to be run for six months. That's what I am doing now."

Myran says the program matches employees with employers based upon the interests of the employee. The first round consisted of a 12-week work placement experience with a new one beginning April 3 that'll run for 13 weeks. Stipulations include participants' residency in the central plains region who are between 15 and 30 years of age, facing some barrier to employment, and not on E.I., or able to waive E.I. for the duration of the 13-week program.

The host employer has to be able to host a funded placement, be willing to train the participant and offer them the work experience upon completion.

Its success was attributed to the retention of some participants by employers after the first series of weeks. The PLLC submitted a report to its funders and put in a proposal that turned out to be what the funding party was looking for.

Myran says she has roots in Long Plain First Nation and Portage, and has previously lived in Winnipeg and Brandon. She adds she likes it here in Portage.

20 participants will be selected, and employers and participants can contact her at (204) 857-6304, Ext. 267 for more information.