CORNER BROOK, NL – The second of four employment assistance services offices in the province, Employment OPTIONS, launched its official opening in Corner Brook Monday, August 12.
The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour (AESL), along with College of the North Atlantic (CNA) President & CEO Bruce Hollett; James Loder, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Career Colleges; the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources and Corner Brook MHA; St. George’s Humber MHA Scott Reid; and, invited guests were in attendance.
The Corner Brook centre, located in the Millbrook Mall, employs six people, including the manager, Cheryl Penney, and has been operational since March 26, 2019. Its service area includes Corner Brook/Deer Lake/White Bay/Bay of Islands regions.
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 provides 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 also houses 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.
“The establishment of Employment OPTIONS is an important initiative by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. These offices serve as an investment in the province’s workforce, providing resources to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to allow them to become better equipped to contribute to our province’s economy. I am proud to be a part of a federal government that is supporting Employment OPTIONS, through the Labor Market Development Agreement, and the valuable services that they offer.”
Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament
Long Range Mountains
“Employment Assistance Services help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians prepare for, find and maintain jobs right here at home. Employment OPTIONS offices in Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor, and St. John’s enhance the accessibility of these services.”
The Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
“It is exciting to see these offices continue to get underway and provide employment services to a wide variety of people throughout the province. Their operations are vital in facilitating the needs of the labour market and the career goals of clients who avail of the numerous services available at Employment OPTIONS centres. College of the North Atlantic, through its mandate as a post-secondary education training provider, actively supports economic development in our communities, and providing 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 Corner Brook Employment OPTIONS office. We have been encouraged by the excellent work done at existing centres, and are confident that this new team will provide prospective post-secondary students throughout the western region with balanced and professional counselling services. Our colleges are excited to work with them as they work to improve the careers and lives of clients.”
James Loder
Newfoundland and Labrador Career College President
“The Employment OPTIONS centres, through their Employment Assistance Services, are empowering job seekers with the tools, resources and expertise to secure meaningful long-term employment and satisfying careers. I join College of the North Atlantic and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Career Colleges in congratulating Employment OPTIONS on the official launch and opening. The addition of this innovative employment counselling service to Corner Brook and surrounding area is one I expect will be extremely beneficial for job-seekers well into the future.”
The Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, Corner Book MHA
Employment OPTIONS has three other offices in the province – one in Grand Falls-Windsor and two in St. John’s. The official opening for the St. John’s locations will occur in the near future.
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Media contacts:
Michelle Barry
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7721
michelle.barry@cna.nl.ca
Ryan Crocker
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
709-729-1795, 725-9595
ryancrocker@gov.nl.ca
John Tompkins
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-729-3733
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca