Young adults are finding their way with training through a program that provides career and life skills learning.
Dubbed ReBrand, through McBride Group, planners with the program in Ponoka, hosted an open house Tuesday, June 14 to celebrate seven students’ completion of the first of two phases.
Humberto Aspillaga, program manager, said classes are intended for people between 17 and 30 years who are looking for some career enhancement.
The first phase is held over nine weeks where students learn life skills as well as technical certifications such as WHMIS and first aid. Also during that time, students learn about money management and conflict resolution.
The second phase is a 12-week program where students will go into work employment. “The government pays half of the salary.”
To help make the transition from training to working, ReBrand helps the students with their interview skills and communicates with the company looking to hire employees.
With a struggling economy, Aspillaga suggests this program helps create a high rate of employment. Students end up wanting to return for further training such as leadership and conflict resolution training.
For some students, the program has been a way to better themselves. “Seven weeks here, I learned a lot of new things I didn’t know,” explained Denzel Rattlesnake.
He has enjoyed enhancing his interview skills and looks forward to the potential it will bring for him. “It kind of changes your perspective on how you look at yourself.”
For Tyrone Roasting the modules helped lift his doubts about ReBrand. “I’m a better person because of this program,” said Roasting.
“The instructors are pretty knowledgeable, so they make it pretty clear,” he added.
Robyn Strongman looks forward to the work experience aspect of ReBrand as the classes helped build her confidence.
“Honestly, before this program I wasn’t able to publicly speak…I was really shy,” she explained.
With the technical and life skills training Strongman hopes to take her learning and work in northern Alberta.