Lakehead Employment Services Provides Valuable Hope
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Lakehead Employment Services

Lakehead Employment Services Provides

Valuable Hope

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 Allison is   Manager and President of Lakehead Employment Services, which has been in operation for 13 years, since 1997.“We provide employment services as a dedicated provider and have had the privilege of carrying on the Ontario government’s vision to have the most highly skilled workers in the world. Under one roof, we deliver high quality services that support individuals to meet their career goals and their ability. We also work with employers to build a community that is a competitive work force not only in  Thunder Bay but
in Ontario as a whole.” said Allison Bennett.
There are three providers of these services in the city delivering the same service for all people. In addition to Lakehead Employment Services, there is YES Employment Services Thunder Bay and Northwest Employment Works at  Confederation  College, which has recentlyrebranded themselves with a new name. The  Ontario government wants one stop employment services within these three different providers. The services include one to one counselling,
workshops, assistance in doing cover letters, job matching and placement incentives so employers can have some dollars that subsidize wages.
“We do job search and have the tools to see where people are passionate in terms of a vocation. Life skills is a very popular program because it helps people find out who they really are and go forward. It might be starting a small business. Across the street we will have a new resource and information centre open shortly to help us offer these services,” said Allison Bennett. “There have been many older workers who have been displaced with mill closures and are seeking new careers. Over the years we were dedicated to the older worker but now with this full service approach all three of our employment organizations are dedicated to all ages. Our new resource centre will have computers for people to come in and use with extended hours. There will be some training done there and also online courses will be offered. There will be life skills classes and it will be a relaxed environment.”
“ We work with employers to understand their organizations and needs going forward. For example we have worked a lot with Global Sticks, a new start up company here to help them get employees,” said Bennett. “There is big demand for our services. Our success rate has
been excellent with most people gaining jobs fairly quickly. Usually people just need more resources and a little more horsepower to push them through to the next place. Sometimes we get stuck in boxes. If you have been a mill worker for 30 years with a grade 10 education it is
tough to rebundle that and take the next step. We do an assessment to see what it is the individual wants. Then we do a labour market analysis to see if their thinking fits with the market and determines which programs they are eligible for depending on their age. Together
we make a plan to move forward. It could involve going back to Confederation  College or  Everest  College or taking computer courses.”

The individuals contribute to their retraining expense based on their household income. Lakehead Employment Services deals with people from age 18 to late 50’s or 60’s. Today people can work longer. They may have been affected by things like the stock market crash and have to work longer now according to Allison Bennett.“I love doing this work. The reward is seeing what happens to individuals that we have provided a service to that is of high
quality. People have time, talent and a purpose to leave a legacy. We have seen lives changed. We have helped people start businesses. It is awesome,” said Bennett. “We have a great staff that have been here quite awhile and are ready for the challenge. Many have social work
backgrounds. We are located in the north core where the need is and there is more accessibility by bus routes.”
There is a staff of 12 at Lakehead Employment Services which includes employment counselors and administration. Their  Park Street location of two buildings includes a brand new 3000 square foot structure, one of the most recent new developments in the area. The
setting is very nice with artwork everywhere, fish tanks and they have created a warm, relaxed environment for their staff and clients. The buildings are owned by Aldo Ruberto. You can find more about Lakehead Employment services at www.lestbay.com
   Laura Suddaby is the Office Manager of Stuart Olson Dominion, the general contractor of the project. “ All the other buildings in the area are older and may have been houses that have been turned into offices. The building is making the area more modern. The property was
vacant and perfect for the new 3000 square foot building,” said Laura Suddaby. “ The building was built on a slab. The walls were prefab and just stood up on site. It was faster this way. The roof trusses were then put in place. The project was started in the spring and went very
well. Our sub trades are fabulous and work really well with our company. Jim Britton is our on site supervisor.”
   “ One thing I love about the project is the brick at the front of building. It is called Easy Rock and it comes in panels that you screw  onto the wall. The product is very durable. I am very happy with the project. It is a very nice building. The colour choices are excellent,”
said Suddaby.“ The facility is very important and so instrumental in getting young people into the work force and helping people who have lost their jobs get back to work.”



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