• If this stabilizes or supports the new business, this is a great goal.
• Explore new ways of attaching people more securely to the labour force. Create opportunities for this target group. Employment partner getting some very well trained people and people getting education.
• Giving the participants employment and academics also affecting their social well–being
• Participants that are more employment focussed. Strengthen the employment partners. Helping the employment partner achieve and explore how it could be applicable to other clients.
• Making sure the academic instruction relates to the workplace and grow their personal development.
• Targeted group is important. Getting someone of his long term caseload. Even if it is only 50% of the people get employment he is happy – even if they get some education. It is a win–win–win for everyone.
• Building self–esteem is critical.

What do they perceive are the strengths and weaknesses of BTG?

Strengths:

• Education is in the community
• Employer will have a trained workforce – to their specified
• Increasing education levels
• Local approach
• Leave behind structure which can be applied to other industries
• Better understanding of the economy
• Ability to communicate among the group – there is a high level of trust and communication among them.
• They are able to go around and rally the troops to address any of the weaknesses. They are very flexible
• All the stakeholders coming together as a CLN – we are all learning from one another – two heads are better than one.
• Many more strengths than weaknesses.
• Ability to overcome the barriers of distance to work together as a CLN
• The ability to design the curriculum to meet the needs of industry
• Creativity is a great strength (especially Betty).
• All partners (financial, education, development, industry,) at the same table to find solutions.
• Coordinator to pull everything together is key.
• Plenty of public awareness & clear vision of where the program is leading
• Great resource guides and supervision provided through Random North
• Bringing the academic instructors to the table with the students
• Takes into account the individuals attainment as of to where they are – it is very individualized. Not just a number. While the practical will be the same, the academic component / plan for each will be individualized
• A flexible approach to working with participants and the employment partners. Not a cookie cutter approach.
• Partnership – everybody brings a little bit of difference to the table.
• Better understanding from the employment partners point of view that individuals with challenges –it solidifies the relationship between the employer and the community.
• Participants have a deep trust of the CLN people. They really value their opinion and their input.
• Creates a CLN
• Employment and training to stay in the community