The local branch of the Salvation Army has several upcoming programs that will help reintroduce people to the workforce.
A class of 11 students have already graduated from a forklift program.
The Sally Ann also expects to offer a certified occupational first aid course in late-May. The course can accommodate about 20 people per session. Students need to pass a test at the end.
“We’ve never taught first aid here,” community ministries director Brent Hobden said, noting other upcoming courses in FoodSafe and WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System).
“It makes that whole package together. It certainly could make the difference between somebody getting a job or not getting a job.”
Hobden says some guests have not bothered applying for jobs because they assumed they would fail if an exam was required. However, taking a course in a comfortable, encouraging environment at Family Services affords them a better chance of passing a test.
“You’d be amazed what this little certificate does for somebody when they recognize they have something in their wallet they’ve never had before,” said Hobden. “It’s pretty exciting to see how much confidence that can give you.”
A further initiative on the horizon is an anger management program headed by an experienced facilitator. The first information session is expected within a month. The program will be offered in-house, which provides a level of comfort for guests.
“I can just see that it’s going to grow into more and areas, and have an opportunity to serve more and more of our guests,” Hobden said. “We’re looking at expanding this into the community for several different professional groups.
“There’s ways you deal with anger, and that’s what our instructors are extremely familiar with, and being able to pull the information out of the clients that are coming in. And to recognize, there’s more to the anger than what you’re telling us, and being able to dig to the bottom and find out what that is, and helping people recognize what the triggers are, and help them more appropriately with it.”
For more information about courses or to book an appointment call (250) 338-5133, or drop by the Salvation Army office at #9 468 29th St. in Courtenay.