WINNIPEG, MB: Prince’s Trust Canada, a national charity established by HRH The Prince of Wales, Youth Employment Services Manitoba (YES), and Winnipeg Harvest, a community-based, not-for-profit, food distribution and training centre, celebrated the successful completion of the Get Into Warehousing youth employment program on Friday, September 13, 2019.
Winnipeg residents, aged 18 to 30, participated in the five-week program where they received classroom-based employability skills training, relevant industry certifications including the safe operation of lift trucks and safe food handling, paid job shadowing training and access to employers looking to hire.
After bouncing between jobs and completing a certificate at Red River College, Get Into participant Troy Bird, 23, was struggling to find permanent employment. “The program has given me invaluable skills relevant to working in a warehouse and employment skills that will help enhance my resume and help me attain future employment,” said Bird. “I’ve had a very positive experience. The people at Winnipeg Harvest, everyone from support personnel to the trainers, have been extremely welcoming and supportive”.
Get Into is a sector-specific national youth employment program run by Prince’s Trust Canada. It links young people facing barriers to employment with employers who are ready to hire and make a difference in the communities they serve. This summer, The Trust partnered with Winnipeg Harvest to create the Get Into Warehousing program.
“Across Canada we’re working with leading local not-for-profits like Winnipeg Harvest and youth employment organizations like YES, to make a difference in the lives of young people facing barriers,” said Sharon Broughton, CEO of Prince’s Trust Canada. “Thanks to partnerships like this one, young people in Winnipeg are learning new skills, building their confidence and getting jobs.”
In addition to supporting young people into employment through the warehousing-focused curriculum and workplace experience, participants attended workshops on topics such as mental health and well-being, financial literacy, communication and leadership skills.
“The Get Into program is helping young people prepare for in-demand jobs while also offering valuable supports along the way,” said Keren Taylor-Hughes, CEO of Winnipeg Harvest. “This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering young people through education and capacity building and we look forward to working with Prince’s Trust Canada on future projects.”
In Winnipeg, the Get Into program has helped more than 90 young people get jobs with employer partners including CIBC, Cineplex and Loblaw. The success of the program is possible thanks to The Winnipeg Foundation and support from visionary funders including the RBC Foundation, KPMG and Finastra.
About Prince’s Trust Canada:
Prince’s Trust Canada is a registered national charity established in 2011 by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Prince’s Trust Canada works to unlock potential in three key areas: helping young people build confidence through employability programs, providing entrepreneurship training for veterans and transitioning Canadian Armed Forces members, and supporting Indigenous communities as they revitalize and protect their languages.
About Winnipeg Harvest:
Winnipeg Harvest is a community-based, not for profit, food distribution and training centre that collects and redistributes food through a network of food banks, agencies, and meal programs that serve children, families, seniors and individuals who are at risk of hunger throughout Manitoba. We provide training programs for our clients and focus attention on hunger within our community as we move towards long-term solutions. Learn more at https://winnipegharvest.org/ and connect with us on Facebook @wpgharvest.
