MOOSE JAW — Diversified Services has announced a new partnership with MentorAbility Saskatchewan this fall.
The collaboration reflects Diversified Services’ ongoing commitment to helping individuals achieve their career goals and local employers are encouraged to explore a possible partnership through the program in the new year.
The partnership was signed into effect on the week of Nov. 18 and will roll out in the new year after a short break for the Christmas holidays with a date to be determined.
“We’ve always had employment (services) within our building, but supported (employment services) is something we’re just newly venturing into,” announced Sheree Duncan, a supportive employment professional at Moose Jaw Diversified Services.
Duncan explained that the MentorAbility program offered through Diversified Services will help individuals explore potential career paths by connecting them with businesses across the province.
The program facilitates “job tastings,” which is a format where participants can spend a short time observing workplace operations or experiencing a limited role first-hand in various fields to gain an insight into what options exist in the marketplace.
“So, if you’ve got somebody that’s looking for a job in, say, retail, we would (ask for) an hour or a day and… just watch you to see how it looks to be an employee, (learn) what you’re looking for in an employee… and figure out what you want to do without having to make a real commitment,” she said.
“There’s no real commitment to the employer or the agency to have to hire somebody on the spot — we’re certainly not looking for that,” she added. “We’re just looking for opportunities for people to learn about different jobs that they may not have had any idea about before.”
The program aims to have prospective employees “push their boundaries a bit” and try something outside of their past experience.
The goal, she said, is to ask, “What do you really want to do? Where can we put you that you’re really going to be happy?” MentorAbility has built strong community partnerships across numerous industries and eagerly collaborates with employers who are passionate about their work.
The new partnership is a first for Moose Jaw Diversified Services and resulted from a recent case conference in Regina hosted by the Canadian Association for Supportive Employment.
Impressed with the presentation, Diversified representatives reached out to get involved.
“You know, we’ve got a handful of people here who are chomping at the bit to get out and get some work,” she said, noting that approximately 20 Diversified Services participants are now ready and willing to start a new job.
Among these individuals are several who have worked their whole lives and are eager to get back out into the community, and a few others would benefit from the ability to “taste” a few jobs before entering the workforce.
Duncan said she’s now preparing a number of information sessions for employers and agencies set to launch in January 2025.
Until then, Diversified Services will continue its current employment program until expanding it in the new year. “We’re always just a call away if somebody needs some assistance (or for us to) get them back on track,” Duncan said.
If you’re an employer and are interested in partnering with Diversified Services and MentorAbility Saskatchewan, the best way to get involved is by calling Diversified Services and asking for Sheree Duncan or Steve Seida at 306-692-4954.
You can also email [email protected].
The Moose Jaw Diversified Services office is located at 11 Wood Lily Drive.
