Lethbridge, Alberta
Moving Forward: New Opportunities, New Lives
Project Lead: Lil Radley, Lethbridge Public Library
Moving Forward: New Opportunities, New Lives took place in Lethbridge, a city of about 100,000 in southern Alberta. This project focused on culture and expectations in the Canadian workplace and the essential skills required, including document use and computer skills. This no cost, online project helped workers who have been displaced move forward as they participated in new opportunities acquiring the skills they lacked in securing and retaining employment, thus moving towards improved “new lives.” Although the majority of the participants were newcomers, there were others who benefited from the project. The participants – from Lethbridge and area, adversely impacted by oil sand and other layoffs, including the farming community suppliers impacted by drought – needed these skills to be competitive in today’s market.
Each registration included a skills assessment and discussion of the workplace, employment history, and goals. Helping participants to succeed was paramount; thus, project resources and breakout groups were matched to participants’ skill levels. Weekly, they joined Computer Basics, Word, Excel, or a numeracy class to further improve these skills. In addition, those who required literacy skills improvement were paired with Read On Adult Literacy & Learning volunteer tutors for up to three hours weekly. Upon completion of Moving Forward, all participants could continue to work with their tutors, if they desired to do so.
As securing and retaining employment was the overall goal, local organizations that could offer new learning opportunities were scheduled to speak to participants. There was also an opportunity to meet some major local employers. Continuing to improve job prospects and overall confidence made Moving Forward a most memorable project for participants.
Updates
- This beta-test site has developed and shared curricula for their training delivery.
- This project has been selected to continue to the Pilot Test phase of this project.