TIES 2 Work Program

Connecting businesses with trained individuals living in poverty who are ready to work, through the Saint John Learning Exchange's TIES 2 WORK program, is a strategic objective for reducing poverty in Saint John.

Located at 162 Union Street, the Saint John Learning Exchange has over 25 years of experience in adult education. Since April 2009, the Saint John Learning Exchange and Vibrant Communities Saint John have been partnering with local employers, the provincial government, and educational institutions in an employer-specific training program called TIES 2 WORK>

Funded by the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, TIES 2 WORK aims to facilitate a match between employers and potential employees through 12 weeks of job specific training, resulting in employment at a minimum starting wage of $10 per hour

Program partners work with employers to identify the workplace essential skills required. Employers and participants are connected before the training starts. The program includes a three-week hands-on job placement.

Employers are passionate about the TIES 2 WORK program: "We like that programs like TIS 2 WORK help our employees achieve their higher gals - it can act as a stepping stone for them."

To date, TIES 2 WORK has involved 14 employers and 33 participants, 70% of whom are employed or participating in further training. Employers benefit from reductions in the cost of bringing on new employees, and from increased productivity as a result of the pre-screening training.

Programs like TIES 2 WORK show us that there are potential employers right in our backyard who otherwise would not have had a chance.

Employers include:

• Acadian Stained Glass
• Atlantic Signs
• Bayshore Home Health
• Centenary Queen Square Adult Day Care Centre
• City of Saint John
• Coast Tire and Auto Service
• Director's Choice
• Fairweather Tire and Automotive
• Fortis Properties - Delta Hotel
• Global Convention Services
• Horizon NB
• Innovatia
• John Howard Society
• YMCA-YWCA

For more information, click here. If you are an employer interested in participating in the Ties 2 Work program, check out our employer brochure for more information.