Barrhead Employment Services is a group you can’t do without when you are looking for employment.
They offer a wide array of services and supports for Barrhead and surrounding area residents as well as Swan Hills and Onoway communities.
“We like helping people for employment services, community resources, computer, internet and printer availability,” remarked Jody Vanderzouwen, employment specialist.
We have a job board with current job postings in the area and are happy to assist with complicated form completion for government services.”
The office sees between five and 15 people each day.
“We do events every month where we promote our business and showcase employers,” Jackie Parks, employment specialist stated.
“August 7 is our next event where a food truck will be set up and the first 100 people that visit will get a free lunch in recognition of us being in business.”
Alberta Parks was highlighted at an event.
The RCMP attended an event to talk to people about their recruiting.
Barrhead Employment Services has partnered with the Barrhead library to provide workshops at the library for local residents to attend.
“We help people looking for work with resumes and cover letters,” explained Parks.
“We help people apply for unemployment, income support, CPP or AISH.”
Vanderzouwen detailed how assisting people with getting their online Alberta ID is also something they help with.
Filling out the online forms can be done at the Barrhead Employment Services office with on-site support.
If a person is unemployed or marginally employed, looking for employment and meeting the criteria, assistance can be provided in preparing a customized job search strategy.
Individuals unsure of what kind of career they want to pursue can gain expertise from the employment specialists in analyzing specific interest and talents to determine possibilities.
Specialists are knowledgeable in what jobs are available and can recommend local employers with current vacancies.
The employment specialists have been contacted by people out of Edmonton looking for services, but this office is available for rural job seekers and residents needing supports.
The office can offer job ready employment related expenses like work boots or safety gear if a person has a job offer, meets criteria, but needs to provide special gear to start work.
If a person has a job offer and needs to get a course certification prior to starting work if the criteria is met the office can also assist with financing to cover those costs.
The Barrhead Employment Services office can be contacted by businesses when a job becomes vacant to determine if they may have a client that could match the job requirements.
Some employers post their jobs directly with Barrhead Employment Services because of the quality referrals they have received for past postings.
Vanderzouwen explained that the job board is full of available jobs right now. Jobs are available in food services, mechanics, drivers, construction, farm jobs, healthcare jobs.
Parks commented that there are a number of seasonal jobs that have beefed up the number of jobs available and new businesses are opening soon.
Any government free training programs are another support offered where Barrhead Employment Services can help people learn about and register for those programs.
These are educational programs that provide certification in a field for free.
The contracts specify that people need to be 18 years or older.
For people who are under 18 looking for support the specialist can help with resumes and give them access to the job board to see open jobs and use the equipment onsite.
Workshops have been held at the Outreach School, working with youth.
You can reach the office by calling 780-674-8788 or drop by the office on 5117 51 street.
