Strong Belief and Support Help Learning for Living Students Face Challenges

When an individual has someone who believes in them, supports their ideas and encourages their success, it is amazing what can be accomplished.

This is the philosophy behind Learning for Living, a unique program offered in Trail that was developed to meet the needs of people facing a variety of challenges affecting their ability to find employment.

Delivered through a partnership between Selkirk College and Career Development Services (CDS), Learning for Living is an accredited course that not only teaches students the professional skills they need to find and maintain work, but also focuses on their personal development.

"It is very rewarding seeing the personal growth of the participants," said Gail Miller, employment counsellor and facilitator for Learning for Living. "They become much more confident and take a great deal of pride in being a college student and graduating from the program."

Miller said that when students typically start the program they don't believe anyone will hire them. By the end of the program, however, the participants recognize that just because they face barriers, it doesn't mean they can't hold down a job and take pride in doing the best they can.

Learning for Living currently has 8 students ranging in age from 19 to 50. Many who enter the program are faced with challenges such as addiction, physical limitations, mental health diagnoses, learning disabilities, and lack of experience or literacy issues.

The wide range of barriers faced by the students requires customized programming to suit the individual's goals.Participants work one-on-one with instructors to create and complete a learning path best suited to his or her needs.

Course content includes lessons in developing communication skills, life skills and social skills, as well as building confidence and finding and maintaining employment. Upon graduation of the program, students will have gained valuable work experience in the community.

"The response from employers in the area has been great," Miller said. "This is the fourth time the program has been delivered in Trail, and we have never had a problem with getting work experience sites for the program's participants. About 70 per cent of the Trail participants meet their employment goals, find volunteer work or return to school to continue on with their education. It's an impressive success rate."

The Learning for Living program is offered at Selkirk College's Trail Campus. Individualized funding is provided through the Service Canada Opportunities Fund. However, numerous businesses and organizations in the community have helped to ensure the program's success, and Miller hopes to see the support continue.

"It's important to give people who face challenges a chance," she said. "People with barriers or disabilities can make great employees. Given an opportunity, they will prove to be very dedicated to the job and take a great deal of pride in their work. The Learning for Living program helps break down the barriers in our community, and it helps to change the perceptions that people have of others with disabilities."

For more information about the Learning for Living program at Selkirk College, contact Gail Miller at 368-5236 ext. 779 or call Career Development Services at 364-1103.

First published on February 25, 2008