Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Ashley Legassic

JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY

Kamloops John Howard Society’s employment program aims to give second chances

Oct 15, 2019 | 5:36 PM

KAMLOOPS — The John Howard Society in Kamloops is helping some of the city’s most vulnerable get back into the workforce.

With help from the provincial government, the society has implemented a job training program it believes has been very successful.

The organization has partnered with Kamloops-based company “All Pro Safety” to train program participants on operating machinery. Instructors with All Pro Safety are showing the group of about 20 basic operating skills that are needed to secure a job.

“Currently we’re running a construction program for people that are low income or having many barriers to work, so we’ve been running construction programs which include WHMIS, first-aid, fall protection, confined space… and traffic control on top of it,” said John Howard Employment Program coordinator Heather Semeniuk.

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Semeniuk says at the end of the three-week program students will acquire 12 recognized certificates.

Some of the program participants have spent time at the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre. This program is a second chance.

“I’m doing it to stay out of trouble, I’ve got myself into some youth charges as an adult and I see this program as an eye-opener. I chose it as a thing to help, and actually, to get all of your certificates, to come from KRCC… to this, it’s a big eye-opener,” said program participant Sam Davison.

Graduates often start as lower-level labourers. Some work in tire shops, while others have worked as forest firefighters. Many are just looking for any kind of employment they can get.

“Well, I used to be in construction,” said participant Chad Williams. “I’ve been off for a little bit and I think this is going to give me the tickets and the motivation to get back into construction. And a lot of motivation, too. That’s the big thing.”