Description of Programs

The first program, which ended in October 1986, catered to women with previous, albeit outdated, clerical training and/or experience. A local labour market survey identified job opportunities in computerized business offices. Automated Business Office Training was designed to demystify computer technology and to allow the participants to up-date their secretarial and accounting skills.

The 15 participants ranged from 30 to 56 years of age; 60% were single parents on income assistance. Many of the women on income assistance had previously been sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resources for a three-month bridging program, Career Opportunities in Preparation for Employment. Others were sponsored for upgrading in Mathematics and English, and refresher typing at the community college. A team approach, in which worked closely with Ministry of Human Resources personnel allowed valuable preparation time for the prospective participants.

In developing the curriculum for both off-site and on-site training challenged the suggested CJS Re-Entry model and increased the off-site training to fifty per cent. Training place hosts were selected for the computerized training they could offer and for the expected salary for participants employed permanently. Nine of the sites were public-sector unionized offices. The time spent with union representatives to gain their support for the program was well worth the effort. As if turned out, the majority of the participants were hired at unionized sites.

Curriculum

Of the 19 weeks of off-site training, 10 weeks were spent at Cariboo College on automated business office training in microcomputers and word processing. The 10 weeks were intensive, with an emphasis on computerized skills, accuracy and speed. This emphasis on skills may misrepresent the nature of the work place by exaggerating their significance. But the students were proud of their accomplishments, and gained a sense of dignity as they began to see themselves as skilled workers. They worked hard to attain their level of competence; now they want their certification and wages to reflect their skills.

Additional funding was applied for under the Specific Job Skills category of re-entry for four participants to study Lotus 1-2-3 at the Intermediate level, and for one participant to take an advanced typing course. Enhancement funds were used to cover the costs of the General Education Diploma (G.E.D.) examination, for further math up-grading, and for private counselling.

The remaining nine weeks of off-site training were devoted to what is traditionally termed life skills. Because many of the barriers facing re-entry women are social, the group discussed the factors that have disempowered women from asserting themselves and taking responsibility for their lives.

Each participant learned that the problems she had thought were unique to her were shared by other women in the group. Within the safe and protected environment of the group, participants shared information, experience and support. They learned and practiced self-validation, assertion, and behavioural feedback.

This part of the curriculum responded primarily to the individual and personal needs of the participants, with the focus on understanding and decision-making. It may also fill their needs as employees. Empowering women to consider their needs seriously may ultimately help them to change the workplace.

The women attended a two-day seminar on "How to Become a Prosperous Woman", as well as a Women's Conference sponsored by the Kamloops Women's Resource Centre. Registration costs were absorbed by the program.

The job readiness component of the program focused on interview skills and job search methods. Participants found video camera feedback and role playing very helpful in preparing them for job interviews.