Legacy Programs

THE PARTNERS:

The AWARE Society is a non-profit organization, founded in 1976, that provides employment programs in Surrey – Newton/Cloverdale, New Westminster, Burnaby.

The Springboard Foundation

Springboard is a cross community, cross border organization established in 1992 ‘to build the capacity’ of young people and their communities by providing skills and personal development opportunities within a local and international context. Target areas are working class communities in Belfast and Dublin that have suffered high levels of deprivation in many aspects of life. 

Springboard’s broad aims are to provide opportunities for young people from the target areas to develop vocational and personal skills; to promote international awareness and exchange; to support understanding, discussion and collaboration across communities and encourage civic leadership within our society. Springboard’s programs have had exceptional outcomes with not only 90% entering employment or further education / training but also with many former participants seeking an increased role in regeneration and development across their communities.

FUNDING:

Funding for this project was provided by the International Fund for Ireland.  The Irish and British Governments established the IFA in 1986 with two main aims: ‘To promote social and economic advance and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between nationalists and unionists on the island of Ireland’. An independent board, consisting of seven members appointed jointly by both Governments directs the work of the International Fund.

The monies to enable the Fund to pursue its objectives were provided by the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The IFI was required to spend approximately three-quarters of its resources in Northern Ireland and one quarter in the Southern border counties (Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth). The Fund operated a range of programs and the bulk of its resources were directed towards projects in disadvantaged areas. Priority was given to cross-community projects and initiatives which foster cross-border co-operation. Reconciliation and the improvement of community relations were central to the Fund’s work.

THE PARTICIPANTS (Trainees):

The trainees were selected for their interest in media-related occupations.  This program is a bridge to further education and training. For beginners in the field the work placement was about exposure to media-related occupations.  With professional advice and guidance from their host employer, trainees were taught how to access media work.

For those trainees with media-related skills the work placement the program will provide an opportunity to put skills into practice, and exposed them to the practicalities of the workplace.  It also provided an excellent opportunity to add to portfolios, CVs and industry-based contacts.

The trainees were between 18 – 29 years old with 21 participants in each group.  

Thus, the project was a huge success leaving the AWARE Society eager to partner with further international projects.

The Health Care Assistant project was offered by the AWARE Society in partnership with Discovery College.  Curriculum and instruction were provided by Discovery Community College’s well qualified and culturally competent instructors, with students learning by doing; participants were taught hands on, in a real-world environment by training on-site at residential care facilities. This AWARE Society program adopted an experiential approach and features gradual immersion into each new training component.

The AWARE Society HCA project was a great success and achieved its objectives by:

• Providing Health Care Assistant Training as well as employability skills – ongoing support in a cohort training model, and a variety of hands-on experiences,
• Increasing diversity in health care sector, with a particular emphasis on Recruiting and Training individuals with barriers to employment,
• Recruiting, training and supporting people from under-represented groups who require additional assistance to enter or re-enter the workforce, including workers displaced due to COVID 19.

Funded through the Community Workforce Response Grant, AWARE Society, in Partnership with Discovery Community College, offered a Community Mental Health & Personal Support Worker Dual-Certificate Program.

This dual certificate program provides you with the skills and knowledge to become successfully employed in a variety of community settings as a Personal Support & Mental Health Worker. Train for employment in community social service agencies, support services for all ages and group home settings.

Community Workforce Response Grant is offering full tuition funding for eligible BC Residents who are either unemployed or have precarious employment.

Campbell River program term: July 12, 2021 to February 11, 2022
Kelowna Start Date May 31, 2021 – 32 weeks
Prince George, Quesnel, Williams Lake & Smithers Starting Date: Monday, August 22nd

FREE Dual Certificate Program

Core Program Prep

• Essential Skills
• Computer skills for classroom use
• First Aid/Food Safe certification

Course Overview

• Communications
• Personal Growth
• Life SpanDevelopment
• Mental Health
• Supportive Care
• Professional Growth
• 100 hours of work experience

Funded through the Community Workforce Response Grant. If you are unemployed or underemployed you may qualify for this free training.

Aware Society in Partnership with Institute of Technology Development of Canada are offering a Graphic Design and Web Development Certificate.

Description
This Diploma program focuses on preparing participants to work in a variety of graphic design and Web Development positions. Upon successful completion graduates will be able to secure entry-level employment, for example as a junior graphic designer, digital illustrator, layout specialist, graphic artist and design software specialist.

Participants will gain hands-on work experience/skills through the following activities:

• This program will be delivered in landed, online & in class and will give students theoretical knowledge and the hands-on skills necessary to be successful.
• Students will create a portfolio that showcases their professional graphic design talents utilizing the theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills in industry standard at Graphic Design and Web Development software and applications.

Training Term: July 12, 2021 to March 28, 2022

AWARE Society, in partnership with Vancouver Career College, is offering an Early Childhood Education Certificate Program at Vancouver Career College’s Abbotsford and Surrey campuses.

Funded through the Community Workforce Response Grant. If you are unemployed or underemployed you may qualify for this free training.

Abbotsford program term: July 19, 2021 to June 10, 2022

Surrey program term: July 19, 2021 to June 3, 2022

Program overview:

• Introduction to Early Childhood Education
• Developing Activity Plans
• Learning Through Play
• Communities, Families and Support Networks
• Communication and Interpersonal Relationships
• Child Growth and Development I
• Guidance, Caring and Behaviour Management
• Art and Creative Development
• Music and Movement
• Language and Literature
• Program Planning and Implementation
• Drama and Creative Expression
• Science and Math
• Social Studies
• Planning Indoor and Outdoor Play Environments
• Health, Safety and Nutrition (Includes ‘Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR / AED Level B’, Includes FoodSafe – Level I)
• Professional and workplace experience

AWARE Society in partnership with Cambria College is offering a Medical Laboratory Assistant Diploma Program, funded through the Community Workforce Response Grant.

Program Term Vancouver: Oct. 12, 2021 – July 8, 2022
Program Term Victoria: Oct. 17, 2021 – July 8, 2022

Program Overview:

• Office Procedures
• Word Processing
• Introduction to Medical Terminology
• Ethics, Professionalism & Legislation
• Laboratory Procedures & Safety
• Human Anatomy, Physiology & Terminology
• Laboratory Mathematics Measurement & Accuracy
• Infection Prevention & Asepsis
• Clinical Chemistry
• Laboratory Microbiology
• Histology & Cytology

Funded through the Community Workforce Response Grant, AWARE Society, in partnership with Discovery Community College, offers an Accounting & Finance Certificate Program With Practicum, open to applicants Kitimat, Terrace, Smithers, and Houston.

This program is designed to provide the learners with hands-on-training required to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to work in a variety of administrative roles within the business community. You’ll be fully prepared to pursue a number of interesting positions such as Bookkeeper, Bookkeeping Clerk, Accounts or Receivable Clerk, Payroll Assistant, Payroll and Benefits Administrator, and more!

Community Workforce Response Grant is offering full tuition funding for eligible BC Residents who are either unemployed or have precarious employment.

Starting Date: Monday, August 15, 2022

• 4 days per week – 13 weeks online theory
• 3 week practicum in community

Program Details

Accounting and Finance has the following components:

• DCC Orientation
• Financial Literacy
• Manual Bookkeeping
• Manual Payroll
• Sage Accounting
• QuickBooks

Community Workforce Response Grant offering full tuition funding for eligible BC Residents who are either unemployed or have precarious employment.

• FREE Dual Certificate
• 24 weeks online and 1 week onsite
• 3 week practicum in community

Starting Date: November 28, 2022

Two program streams offered to applicants in:

• Campbell River, Courtenay, & Northern Vancouver Island
• Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Parksville, & Qualicum Beach

Community Workforce Response Grant offering FULL TUITION FUNDING for eligible BC Residents who are either unemployed or have precarious employment. Fully funded tuition for eligible Community Workforce Response Grant applicants.For residents in the BC Tri-Cities area.

All applicants must meet CWRG Grant requirements and Discovery Community College admissions requirements. Scheduled Information session virtually or in- person REQUIRED.

• FREE Certificate Program!
• Computer Training & First Aid included!
• 2 week, 64 hour community- based practicum placement

Graduates will possess the skills, knowledge, and attitudes of entry-level dental receptionists and gain community-based practicum experience prior to program completion.

Program Term: August 8th – December 23rd, 2023

ORIENTATION COURSES

• GO 901 (Get Oriented)
• IT 701 Introduction to Computers

DENTAL RECEPTION THEORY

• DR 100 Business Communication
• DR 101 Dental Terminology
• DR 102 Client Records
• DR 103 Dental Office Procedures

WORKSHOPS

• Employability Skills
• First Aid

PRACTICUM

• DR 104 Practicum

AWARE Society in partnership with Discovery College is offering a Project Based Labour Market Training Program that will prepare you for a career as a Chairside Dental Assistant. As an integral part of the dental practice, you will gain the skills to perform both administrative office tasks and assist dentists directly with patient care.

The program includes:

• 29 weeks inclusive of a 2-week practicum
• First aid/CPR & WHMIS certification
• Indigenous cultural competencies components
• Job search skills support

Who Is Eligible?

• Must be an unemployed or underemployed B.C. resident legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Currently receiving EI Benefits OR
• Have had an EI claim within the last 5 years OR
• Have earned more than $2000.00 in insurable earnings and paid EI premiums on those earnings in at least 5 of the last 10 years OR
• Be in receipt of BCEA or PWD benefits.
• Must be referred by a WorkBC Employment Service Centre Case Manager.
• Undergo a Criminal Record Check/TB Test

Start Dates:

• January 3, 2023 (Burnaby)
• June 12, 2023 (Surrey)
• November 14, 2023 (Surrey)
• April 15, 2024 (Surrey)

Community Workforce Response Grant offering FULL TUITION FUNDING for eligible BC Residents who are either unemployed or have precarious employment.

For residents in Tri-cities Region.

44 weeks of specialized training!

Graduates will receive an HCA Diploma and Mental Health Certificate.

Graduates are ready to work in any level of continuing care which includes Complex Care, Assisted Living, Home Support, Acute Care & Special Care Units or in mental health and personal support settings.

Dual Program Includes: