News
Summer Job Placements with SaskNative Inc a Success
Aug 15, 2014
Posted in: Uncategorized
Bryce Arcand, Rebecca Campbell, Ryan Nivon, and Ethan Long are summer work experience clients of GDI Training and Employment. They were placed with the Camponi Housing Inc/SaskNative Rental Inc.
Bryce, Ryan, and Ethan learned about the GDI Training and Employment programs from their parents. The three are clients of Dwayne Docken. Rebecca heard about GDI through a friend. She is a client of Audrey Arcand, an Employment Counsellor at GDI Training and Employment.
We recently visited their workplace to discuss their experience and spoke with Bryce, Ryan and Rebecca. Bryce and Ryan had planned to worked during summer and save towards buying cars. Rebecca, on the other hand, had been looking for an organization to help her achieve her educational and career goals, namely to become an office administrator. All the three stated Dwayne and Audrey provided useful information about the program and worked with them throughout the summer. Ryan noted that, “Dwayne had a very good influence on my decision … he made the program sound very appealing.”
The three enjoyed the summer placements and acquired useful skills. Rebecca said that office administrator she has been doing general office work such as filing, and answering phones as well as “major projects including organizing a day camp and participating in exhibition parade.” Bryce and Ryan did repair work, plumbing, and other assigned duties to ensure that housing units were ready for occupation.
Rebecca noted that what she has “learned about housing industry and office administration is very useful.” For Bryce and Ryan, working as maintenance labourers provided opportunity to learn carpentry, painting, plumbing, and general repair work. All the three are very grateful to GDI for the opportunity that they believe will help them in the future. As Rebecca said, “each cultural group has its own needs, and an organization like GDI that enables Métis get access to such opportunities is hugely significant.” She continued, “I wish I got this opportunity earlier.”
Camponi Housing Inc/SaskNative Rentals has 427 housing units in Saskatoon. They have an average of 100 applicants on waiting list at any given day with a growing demand for senior housing. The organization has been operational since 1983 and this is the first time it has partnered with GDI to offer summer work program for Métis students. Camponi Housing Inc/SaskNative Rentals Director Carrie Leclaire said the partnership has been beneficial as their experienced workers ‘apprenticed’ the summer students. She stated: “It has been more than a job fair, this is a hands-on experience that keep our youth out of the street, introduces them to a possible career, while at the same time they earn.”
For information about GDI Training and Employment summer placements and other wage subsidy programs, please contact Dwayne at dwayne.docken@gdite.gdins.org or (306) 659-1061.
