Administration Support Worker Course cohort #1 Thompson

Overview 

With a shortage of administration workers in the north, there was an interest in providing a course here in Thompson.  WEM was offering a 5 week work readiness course and NMSC joined with WEM to make it a 10 week paid course. 6 weeks work readiness, 2 weeks digital skills and 2 weeks work placements. We started out by sending out surveys to businesses and organizations in the north to get feedback on what the needs for administration workers. The results showed that work readiness and basic essential digitals skills are what’s needed in this field. WEM facilitated the 6 weeks of work readiness and Western Training Solutions facilitated the 2 week digital skills portion. NMSC added the 2 weeks of work placements for the students to gain much needed training and experience. 

Activities 

• Started sending out surveys to local businesses in November 2024, results of survey were done in December 2024. 

• An informational meeting was provided for all students who applied. We had approximated 80% turn out for this meeting. Interviews and selection of students started in January. Approximately 35 students applied for the course with 15 being selected. 10 students completed the 10-week Administration course. 

• Information meeting 

• All required forms were filled out and any other needed information was collected from the students.  

10-week (LIFT Administration Work Readiness Program), Administration support worker course held in Thompson 

NMSC Mentor/Program Coordinator Report: 

• The course started February 24^th to May 2^nd 

• The first 6 weeks were done by WEM on work readiness, communication in the work place admin tools, customer service, reading writing and math skills, resumes  

• Week 7 and 8 were digital skills done by WTS including Day1 Intro to Computers and keyboarding, Day 2 & 3 Word level 1 and 2, Day 4 & 5 Internet & Virtual Office (Teams, Zoom, LinkedIn, Gmail, Google tools an AI), Day 6 outlook (email etiquette), Day 7 & 8 Excel Theory Level 1, Day 9 Review one to one coaching 

• Weeks 9 & 10 were work placements I went out and found for the students throughout Thompson businesses. 

 (CEDF, UCN, Boreal Discovery Center, Mystery Lake Hotel, Home Hardware, Grainger, City Center Mall Arts, Gardewine, Twin Motors, Rock Country GM, City of Thompson) 

• Graduation for the students was held on May 2^nd at the NC Crossroads bowling alley. Certificates from UCN, WEM and WTS were handed out along with Swag gift bags for all students. Extra Certificates were handed out to the students who had excellent attendance and effort throughout the 10 weeks. MC Rob Murray. Guest speakers were Glenn Laycock NMSC, Cheryse Pilling WEM, Davion Johnson UCN, Akira Haskins and Joey Bignall on behalf of the students.  

April 15^th Jackie Hartman from UCN came to talk to the students about the next options for them if they want to continue in the administration field. Two students have enrolled in this course so far. 

WEM brought in Elder (Morris Hart) to talk to the students and sit in the class to offer any support and guidance if needed. His service was needed a few times to help some students with personal issues. 

NMSC Indigenous Liaison Terry Kaduchuk came to speak to all students about his experience in the work force and issue he has had. 

Interviews with students, Program Coordinators & mentors were done in May to help create a video for NMSC website & face book page helping promote the programs that are be offered. 

Students 

• 15 students were accepted into the program. 12 students completed the WEM and digital skills part of the program, 10 students completed the two-week work placements. So far 2 students have signed up for the 10-month Admin course held in September at UCN, 4 students were offered jobs from their work placements, 2 students accepting employment and  1 student left for Winnipeg to pursue future training. We are continuing to follow up with each student’s trying to find employment. 

• 14 were Indigenous 

• 6 females 

• 9 males 

• All are now living in Thompson 

Succes Stories  

The completion rate of 80% is positive. 12 out of the 15 students completed the 6 weeks WEM and 2 weeks digital skill training and 10 completed the 2 weeks of work placements from businesses in Thompson. (CEDF, UCN, Boreal Discovery Center, Mystery Lake Hotel, Home Hardware, Grainger, City Center Mall Arts, Gardewine, Twin Motors, Rock Country GM, City of Thompson). This group became very close looking out for each other during difficult times while also gaining relationships with the instructors and employers during work placements. Some of the employers even came to the graduation to celebrate with there student. So far 2 students have signed up for the 10-month Admin course held in September at UCN, 4 students were offered jobs from their work placements with 2 students accepting their offer. 1 student left for Winnipeg to pursue future training. We are continuing to follow up with each student’s trying to find employment. 1 student who left the program to go back to his old job has returned and signed up for another digital skills course.