ESSENTIAL SKILLS DISPLAY: the booth set up by the Essential Skills Subcommittee. Committee members are wearing graduation gowns and giving out small diplomas (information on the program).

FRONT: Kathy Todd, Karen Byzuk, Karen Ross
BACK: Susan Szabo, Marilyn Cooper.

What is Included in the Broader Joint Training Programs?

The education and training offered by the Joint Committee falls under three broad categories. The first category is Department Programs where Departments submit proposals for funding that provide training specific to their needs. Examples of this type of training are Concrete Finishing, Arborist License and Property Assessor Training. The second category is Individual Training. This takes the form of a scholarship program that allows individuals to apply for funding. Examples here include University and College courses, Golf Instructor and Conflict Resolution. The third category of training is Global Training. This is training that benefits the whole organization and is open to all City of Winnipeg employees who are members of CUPE L500. Examples of Global Training include the Essential Skills Program as well as the E-Learning Centre, Career Planning and Respectful Workplace.

What Does the Future Hold?

The future looks bright for the Essential Skills program. A new three-year Collective Agreement has been signed which includes a renewed Letter of Understanding for Education, Training and Staff Development and an additional $3 million in funding. The Essential Skills curriculum has been expanded for the 2003–2004 year and 140 applications to the program have been received in the early stages of recruitment. “This program is just wonderful and has opened up a whole new world to me,” stated a learner at last year’s Celebration of Learning.

Kathy Todd is a CUPE Local 500 executive member, a member of the Joint Committee for Education, Training and Staff Development, and also the Chairperson for the Essential Skills Committee.

Rhonda Tone, Manager of Human Resource Development, is the City’s Chair for the City/CUPE Joint Committee on Education, Training & Staff Development.