GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, NL – The first of four employment assistance services offices, Employment OPTIONS, in the province launched its official opening in Grand Falls-Windsor Friday, September 21, 2018.

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour (AESL), along with College of the North Atlantic (CNA) President & CEO Bruce Hollett, Keyin College President Craig Tucker (representing the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Career Colleges), and invited guests attended the event at 62 Hardy Avenue.

The Grand Falls-Windsor centre employs six people, including the director, Rosalind Strickland, and has been operational since July 23, 2018. Its service area includes Grand Falls-Windsor, Botwood, Norris Arm, Buchans, and Badger.

Employment OPTIONS is funded federally through the Canada-Newfoundland Labour Market Development Agreement. Its mandate is to increase capacity when it comes to offering and accessing employment planning services across the province.

The employment assistance office will provide a range of services to Employment Insurance (EI) eligible clients, including career employment planning, job research assistance, and access to skills to maintain long-term employment. Staff will work with clients to identify barriers and ways to overcome them, and provide assistance with resume writing. The centre will also house on-site resource areas that feature computers for the public at large to use as a self-service option, job boards that are updated daily for employment opportunities in the region, and information that highlights different resources for individuals on career or education planning.

“I would like to congratulate the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for taking this initiative to provide skills training for those who seek greater opportunities through education. Today, our province faces great challenges in a highly integrated international economy, and in order to remain competitive, we must be ready to match economic opportunities with a highly skilled work force. On behalf of the Government of Canada it is our pleasure to invest in this partnership.”
Scott Simms, Member of Parliament
Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame

“The expansion of employment assistance services to College of the North Atlantic at these locations is based on local need and ensuring we are getting relevant information into our communities through our public and private post-secondary education system. Together with the continued employment assistance services offered at our employment centres across the province, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have access to the services and supports they need to gain sustainable long-term employment right here at home.”
The Honourable Al Hawkins
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

“College of the North Atlantic is eager to take a leadership and supportive role at these centres to facilitate the needs of the labour market, the career goals of people using the services available at Employment OPTIONS, and assess what assistance can be provided to reach these goals. This is another means by which CNA continues to actively support economic development in our communities, and provide the tools for sustainable community employment.”
Bruce Hollett
CNA President & CEO

“Newfoundland and Labrador’s Private Career Colleges are proud to work with our partners at the Provincial Government and College of the North Atlantic in the opening of the new Employment OPTIONS office in Grand Falls-Windsor. We’re confident that the Centre will provide prospective post-secondary students throughout the region with balanced and professional counselling services as they work to improve their careers and lives. We look forward to seeing the great success that comes as a result of this new service.”
James Loder
Newfoundland and Labrador Career College President

“This essential addition to current services available to residents in our area will provide valuable information and direction to those hoping to find gainful employment in our province. Individuals will enjoy enhanced assistance through in-house support with resume writing, career planning, job searches, preparation for employment and eliminating barriers they may experience in the workplace.”
Jerry Dean
Exploits MHA

Planning for the other three offices – two in St. John’s and one in Corner Brook – is already underway, and are slated to open by the end of the fiscal year.

Media contacts:

Michelle Jesso
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7721
Michelle.jesso@cna.nl.ca

Ryan Crocker
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
709-729-1795, 725-9595
ryancrocker@gov.nl.ca

Beatrice Baker
Constituency Assistant
Jerry Dean, MHA, Exploits
709-258-2519
beatricebaker@gov.nl.ca