June 2022
Ideally, your first job will provide the foundation that you can build a solid future on. So much is riding on that first position. You want to build connections, bond with the team and gain experience and a reference for the next step in your career. This is what Kameron wanted when he came to YES. He had already been looking for a job for 6 months when he heard about the Youth Job Connection (YJC) program from family and friends. It was the leg up he needed and after speaking with one of our Youth Workers, Kameron started the program in January 2020.
Paid pre-employment training was the first step in the program. Kameron gained the skills to update his resume, and do a solid interview. Teamwork, problem-solving and time management were some of the soft-skills that Kameron also learned during the training. “Everything was organized and easy to understand”, Kameron commented.
When it came time to talking to our Employer Relations team about a placement, Kameron knew exactly what he wanted. Kameron had never held a paid position, but he had taken automotive and welding classes throughout high school and he was bringing some solid skills to his placement. Kameron also had a strong work ethic so our team was able to come up with quite a few opportunities for him to choose from. When a position for “Helper, Metal Fabrication” came up in discussions, Kameron was excited to learn more. Jet Welding was offering the position and when our team reached out to the owner, he were eager to meet Kameron. The meet and greet went well and the only other requirement to start work was a pair of steel toe boots. The program was able to purchase these for Kameron and he was excited to enter the world of work in a field directly related to his skills and interest.
After the placement ended, Jet Welding kept Kameron on, but when the pandemic hit, Kameron experienced several layoffs. Worried about maintaining a steady income, Kameron used the skills he gained during his training at YES to seek out new opportunities. When a job at Smart Modular Canada came up, Kameron jumped at the opportunity. He aced his interview and the combination of his experience, skills and education landed him the job. He is excited when he talks about his place on the team, “I am one of the maintenance leads. I do everything from checking light sockets, to fixing tools and machinery that breaks down.” Kameron has been working full-time in his new position demonstrating his strong work ethic by putting in hours that start at 7am daily. He appreciates the support he received from the YJC program at YES and from his employer at Jet Welding.
As you head into a bright future, we want to say congratulations, Kameron. The team at YES wish you continued success!
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YES would like to thank our community for supporting our Open House. We appreciate your ongoing support and your partnership in assisting our clients. We were thrilled to host 23 local organizations with a tour of our renovated offices and an overview of our new workflow and technology designed to help our clients more efficiently. A big YES “Thank You” to Thunder Bay Literacy Group, Roots to Harvest, Thunder Bay Counselling, Northwest Connectors, North Superior Workforce Planning Board, Youth Inclusion Program, Thunder Bay CEDC, The Steam Guy, March of Dimes, OSHKI-Wenjack, Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation-My Journey Back Home, Salvation Army, Metis Nation of Ontario, EcoSuperior, Pathways to Education (RMYC), North Shore Mining Training Strategy, Bombardier Labour Action Centre, Creighton Youth Services, KAIROS, Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board, Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, AETS and Contact North.
If you missed our Open House, we would love to set up a private tour at your convenience. Just contact Sharon Kovacic: 807-624-1960, skovacic@yesjobsnow.com
You can find the virtual links to our website on our Events page.