In recognition of Well-Being Week, the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, is profiling the first cohort of the new Working Opportunities Program. The program enables eligible individuals with barriers to workforce participation and formal post-secondary education to retrain and upskill, creating more stable employment and improving their well-being.

Studies have begun for the inaugural group of the Working Opportunities Program; 44 individuals including single parents striving to enhance their skills for higher-paying jobs, individuals seeking to overcome the barriers of poverty, and newcomers pursuing training to better integrate into the Newfoundland and Labrador workforce.

The diverse group of participants highlights the program’s commitment to removing barriers, providing stronger opportunities for success, and making meaningful contributions to our communities.

Working Opportunities is a $3.5 million program that supports the Provincial Government’s Poverty Reduction Plan by supporting people eligible to attend post-secondary schooling that will lead to employment, including funding for a living allowance, child care, and costs of training. Participants will attend full-time post-secondary programs that are a minimum of 12 weeks and a maximum of three years in duration at a public or private training institution in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Applications continue to be accepted for the next group of the Working Opportunities Program. For more information visit one of our 19 Employment Centres throughout Newfoundland and Labrador https://pattern-loop.live/ipgs/department/contact-emp/%3C/a%3E.%3C/p%3E

Quotes
“I am pleased to highlight the inaugural group of the Working Opportunities Program during Well-Being Week. The program will help to remove educational barriers for individuals who could not avail of other training programs to obtain the skills and education to secure meaningful long-term-employment. This will contribute to each participant’s overall health including physical, mental, social, economic and environmental well-being.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills