Tanya's Story, Continuous Learning, School Lunches, Board Announcement No Images? Click here SEPTEMBER 2018Fostering life-long learning is what the Learning Exchange is all about! Meet Tanya in this month's Learner Story and you'll be reminded of the value of continuous learning and reaching out for help, no matter what your goals or ambitions! Read about trainings offered and trainings taken, what's new on our board and what's cooking in the Stone Soup kitchen. Learner Story: Tanya Trofimencoff After about a year of trying to land a job in Saint John in my field, I decided it was time to have a professional critical eye take a look at my cover letter and resume to help refine my presentation. Applications to several jobs were just not leading to the successful outcomes I was looking for so I realized it was time to take further action. I'm so glad I did! At the Learning Exchange, the help I received was beyond my expectations! At the Learning Exchange, the help I received was beyond my expectations. My cover letter and resume were refined with such detail to match each job I applied for, mock interview questions helped me form answers with more information and completeness, and whenever I had a question or concern the WorkLinks team was quick to discuss by either phone calls or email. The valuable feedback was encouraging and by the end of the process I felt more confident with each application. I now work with Acciona - Port City Water Partners as a Non-Compliance Notices Coordinator, I've completed an exam in Law and Ethics for Engineers to stay relevant in my field, and my future goals include working in the Chemical Engineering field in a technical and managerial role in which I can grow and learn, learning new languages, and become an active member of Engineers Without Borders to participate in international projects. Each meeting at the Learning Exchange was a great learning opportunity and I have developed tools needed to apply for any job I would like to pursue. This experience has really empowered me for the future! WorkLinks Partners with NBCC to Train Indigenous Student Advisors Our Coordinator, Erin MacKenney and Workforce Coach, Mary Snow recently delivered their Introduction to Employment Coaching Workshop with the Indigenous Student Advisors for the NBCC campuses. Topics included coaching techniques and best practices, resumes, cover letters, interviews and how to help students stand out in today's labor market. The Indigenous Student Advisors were engaged and asked a lot of questions. The WorkLinks team will be following up with them later in the year to see how things are going. We're looking forward to offering more workshops like this in the future. Mental Health First Aid ~ Fostering Mentally Healthy Workplaces The Saint John Learning Exchange hosted Mental Health First Aid training with Arpeggio Health Services this month. Staff from the Teen Resource Centre joined us for the training. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training decreases stigma associated with mental illness and increases awareness and confidence to engage and support persons experiencing a mental health challenge. MHFA can offer workplaces a common language and shared skills in addressing mental wellness on the job. We are so grateful to Elizabeth Eldridge of Arpeggio for facilitating this training for the team! School Lunch Relaunch ~ Stone Soup Adapts to Policy 711 with Help from Chef Gene The new school food program offers a monthly rotation of menu items all for $5. They will also be introducing an easy online ordering system for schools. For more information on our healthy, home-style school food program, contact Stone Soup Manager, Andrew MacDonald 506-650-7553 or stonesoupsj@gmail.com The team at Stone Soup is hard at work, adapting their school food program to meet the new nutritional standards laid out in policy 711. With the help of Chef Gene (pictured lower right corner), they revamped their recipes, and enjoyed taste testing each new item. Meals like shepherd's pie, penne alfredo, chicken fried rice and beef stew are hearty and healthy lunch options for children. And favorites like pizza, macaroni, and hamburgers will continue to be offered as well! Welcome A-Board ~ Introducing New Board Member Emily McGill We are pleased to welcome Emily McGill to the SJ Learning Exchange Board of Directors. Emily is the Department Head of Business and Information Technology with NBCC at the Saint John Campus. She believes in the power of education and the freedom it can provide to individuals to live the life they want to live. Prior to joining NBCC, Emily was a Business Development Executive with Opportunities NB, and the Human Resources Director with The Algonquin Resort. Emily is a graduate of NBCC and UNB, and she is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). She believes in giving back to the community and she is the Chair of the PSSC at Fairvale Elementary School and a Mentor with the NBCC Oasis Program. In her spare time, she loves being at home with her two daughters and her husband, Corey. We're so happy to have you on board, Emily! If you are looking for support achieving your academic or employment goals, The Learning Exchange has a program for you. Our staff and facilitators are ready to learn about your unique goals and help you create an individualized plan for success!
The Learning Exchange is a leader of social innovation in our community. We have created a number of services for the socially minded consumer. We pride ourselves in looking outside the box to provide our customers and program participants with the highest quality service. Our bottom line at The Learning Exchange has always been the success of every individual that walks through our doors. When people reach their full potential, our whole community benefits. We seek to share these stories in hopes of inspiring new stories of success and community engagement. |