New & Upcoming at the Learning Exchange

TIES 2 Work Program - Report on the First Year

The TIES 2 Work (Training In Essential Skills) Program at Saint John Learning Exhchange has been in place for over a year. The Learning Exchange recently published a report on the success of the first year of the program. Click here to view the report.

The Saint John Learning Exchange Celebrates 25 Years

The Saint John Learning Exchange celebrated its 25th anniversary on May 7th, 2009. Our “Celebration of Learning” event took place at the Saint John Art Centre, starting with a meet & mingle breakfast, with pianist Neil Bonney providing the background ambiance.

Special speakers bringing greetings and congratulations included: Saint John Mayor Ivan Court, Roxanne Fairweather – Chief Operating Officer and VP of Innovatia, and Belinda Allen – SJLE Board Secretary.

Both current and former learners spoke about how coming to the Learning Exchange has changed their lives in a positive manner.
A prize for the award winning Essay “How coming to the Learning Exchange has changed my Life” was presented to CALP learner Ricky Marr.

The draw for the donated Poppy Print was won by Peter Seymour. A special thanks to James Wilson & Cathy Wright for their generous donation of this original print.

Government Announces $250,000 for Essential Skills Program

May 6, 2009

Saint John (CNB) -- Government is investing $250,000 over three years for a new training program in Workplace Essential Skills Leading to Work (TIES 2 Work) that will provide employment opportunities for people living in poverty, Post Secondary Education, Training, and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault announced at the Learning Exchange in Saint John today.

“TIES 2 Work is a new employer-specific training approach that matches employers and potential employees through workplace essential skills training,” said Minister Arseneault. “By focusing on specific, practical skills needed by employers, this program will train and place up to 24 individuals each year in positions with various local companies. This is an important step in transitioning participants to full time employment and helping bring New Brunswickers towards self-sufficiency.”

TIES 2 Work will be managed by a leadership team with representatives from the community, business, education and government. The program, funded through the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and delivered at the Saint John Learning Exchange, will provide participants with essential skills training to prepare them to be matched with specific job openings.

“The TIES 2 Work program is an excellent example of collaboration between community based programs, business, government, NBCC-Saint John Campus and UNBSJ. It is a privilege to work with a team who share a common vision of moving people out of poverty and into work” said Regena Farnsworth, Chair of the Leadership Team.

Employers are set to benefit from this collaborative effort, with reductions in the cost and risk of bringing on new employees. There is also the possibility of increased productivity as a result of having trained and screened employees. This program is an investment in the recommendations from the Benefits Blueprint Report.

“Community partnerships such as this are crucial to improving on the continuum of programs offered in Saint John”, says Kate Barnett, President of the Saint John Learning Exchange. “Through this partnership we are now able to provide not only literacy programs, but Workplace Essential Skills training that leads to full time employment.”

TIES 2 Work (Training In Essential Skills) Program

The TIES 2 Work (Training In Essential Skills) program is an innovative community partnership assisting individuals in short term essential skills training leading to permanent living wage employment. This unique program will match the needs of local employers with individuals in our community seeking employment.

We consistently hear from businesses that they have difficulty finding workers with appropriate skills. We also know that we have people looking for work, but some are lacking the skills that employers require. In order to bridge this gap, partners in the Saint John community have developed a new approach that provides unemployed individuals with a short-term essential skills training tailored to meet employers' specific needs.

These workplace essential skills are the skills that apply to all occupations and enable people to carry out a wide variety of everyday life and work tasks. The employer's input ensures that the workplace essential skills training integrates job specific and practical skills that meet their own needs, reducing the cost and risk of hiring on new employees and increased productivity as a result of trained and screened employees.

Workplace Learning Pilot Project

The New Brunswick Workplace Learning Pilot Project was a partnership between the Saint John Learning Exchange, the University of New Brunswick College of Extended Learning, and the Department of Training and Employment Development. This pilot project was modeled off of the "Making It Work" workplace education program in Nova Scotia, which has been operating successfully since 1991. Workplaces in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan have benefited from Workplace Learning for a number of years.

Workplace Learning is a government-funded project that provides learning programs for workers who need to upgrade or enhance their essential skills. Essential skills are the reading, writing, math, oral communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills that are foundational to a worker’s ability to participate fully in work, community and home life.

Our economy is experiencing change brought on by technology, new management strategies, a decline in traditional jobs and an increased flow of information. Survival in this environment depends on the capacity of workers and organizations to adapt to change and seek creative solutions. This capacity includes the essential skills of oral and written communication, problem-solving, math, and reading, which are foundational in managing these changes.

Workplace Learning benefits workers in many ways. The interests of management and the overall workplace are served as well. The workplace may gain:

• More confident workers
• Workers with improved team skills
• Workers better prepared for further training
• Workers comfortable using technology
• Workers with stronger academic skills
• More adaptable and safer workplaces
• Stronger management and labour relations
• Positive strategies for managing change

Workplace Learning focused on the following sectors:

• Construction
• Geriatric Care
• Special Care Homes
• Mechanics
• Food and Beverage
• Manufacturing

……..with the following programs:

• Essential Computer Skills
• GED Preparation
• Oral Communications
• Workplace Writing