Skills Link Youth Employment Program, called Inspired Opportunities Unlimited (IOU), is a component of the federal Youth Employment Strategy. The Skills Link IOU program was a local initiative coordinated by M. Magas & Associates Inc. in partnership with School District No. 46 and with contribution funding by Service Canada.
Participants received seven weeks of group-based employability skills preparation, identifying their strengths, values and transferrable skills in an area of work interest. Following this, there was a supported work experience where the participant was placed with a local business for work experience. Participating businesses included: Lavery & Co., Solutions Based Contracting, The Bakery, Sechelt Sign and Printing, Click Modular Homes, 1012012 BC Corp., PowHerhouse Media Group, Sechelt Community School, Sechelt Storytelling Project, BC Conservation Foundation, No Pawblems K-9 Camp and Cathouse, Mitchell Systems, Mark’s Work Wearhouse, and Howe Sound Pharmacy.
The work experience objective was to assist participants with gaining skills and connecting them to the labour market, thus improving self-esteem and self-confidence. The on-the-job experience has contributed toward each participant discovering sustainable and rewarding work and careers.
Some of the employer benefits via this program have been: participating in the training of a young, unemployed worker; enhanced public image of the employer’s company; development of supervisory skills of existing employees, and reimbursement for the training of a potential employee.
