Second Career: Wayne Bell's Story
After years working in the Forestry industry, I found myself laid off. Initially, I felt displaced and then I soon realized it was just the beginning as my family and I struggled with all the changes.
I heard of other laid off workers going to our local Employment Ontario agency and receiving personal employment counseling. At that point, I made an appointment and this was the beginning of my exciting journey.
There I learned about Second Career. With the help and compassion of an Employment Advisor ,we researched careers in demand and assessed my skills. We decided that Water Treatment would be a good Second Career pathway. At this time due to family obligations, I could not leave our small northern community of Marathon. My Employment Advisor and I worked together to find the training that suited my needs. Second Career funded me for a distance delivery water treatment program, and I am so grateful! With lots of dedication, I was determined to do all I could to excel with this great future opportunity.
I am proud to say that I am now employed full time at the water treatment plant. I want to say thank you to Second Career, my Ministry Training Consultant and my local Employment Advisor, Lucie Lehoux, who always took the time to provide me with direction. At a time of great distress to my family, they were there. They helped open up doors for me and helped give me the courage to face returning to school. Now my family and I are on the right track and I am working full time in a field that’s in demand –thanks to Second Career.
From my family and me – thanks.
Wayne Bell
Second Career: Brian Duguay's Story
My name is Brian Duguay, I am 44 years old and I am a single unemployed father raising three girls aged 16, 14, & 13. I worked as a Pulp Tester at Marathon Pulp Inc. for nineteen years and in the Steam Plant division for the first three years of my twenty-two years at the mill. In March of 2009 the mill went bankrupt and closed its doors without any compensation for the workers. Approximately 230 people lost their jobs. This caused considerable financial and emotional stress on my family and me as well as most others affected by this closure.
I had the opportunity to apply for Second Career funding and was accepted. I was then able to go to Job Connect and work with Trisha Brackett and develop a career choice. Getting through all the paper work and enrolling into college was made quickly and easily with the guidance of Trisha.
Without Trisha’s quick, efficient, and friendly professionalism I would not have been able to do this. Trisha went over and above her job duties to help and guide me in anyway needed. Trisha always made time to interrupt what she was doing to give me the 5 or 10 minutes of guidance I needed at times.
I am now in my second year of the two year Business-Accounting program at Confederation College through Distant Education. I will finish this second year and receive my diploma and then find work in my field of study. With this diploma and a great chance at acquiring a job I will be able to keep my family here in Marathon and we will not have to uproot and move to another location.
I owe the success I am having to Second Career and most of all to Trisha. To this day Trisha still checks in with me to ask how everything is and if there is anything she can help me with. Anyone of the other people affected with this closure and have had the great pleasure to work with Trisha will attest to Trisha’s professionalism and compassion she has devoted to helping each and every one of us.
I would like to take this time to also mention the great service Penny delivered to me each and every time I had to go to the office. I would like to thank the Ministry for giving me the chance to further educate myself and for giving me the chance to keep my family healthy and together.
Thank You!
Second Career: Josh Papineau
My name is Josh Papineau and I am summiting this write up to acknowledge the Terrace Bay action center and the second career program. Previously I worked as an operator in a saw mill and the past nine years as a conductor for CPR. Due to the economic downturn I found myself unemployed and unsure of my future. I felt in the absence of work this was the opportune time to explore my options to further my education.
Through the Terrace Bay/ Schreiber Action center I learned of the Second Career Program and made an appointment to speak to our local employment advisor Trisha Brackett. Working together we applied for financial support for the Dental Hygiene Program at the accredited College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries in Toronto. After being a successful applicant I am now Currently over half way through my course with a 4.0 GPA. I will graduate an RDH in September 2011.
Thanks to the Action Center, Northwest Employment Works and the Employment Ontario, for your support, hard work and encouragement. The services provided were always pleasant and helpful which made returning to school a smooth transition.
Sincerely, Josh Papineau
Second Career: Jim Chappell
I would like to acknowledge Don McArthur and staff at the Terrace Bay Schreiber Labour Action Centre for their assistance and support. They steered me in the right direction of service providers and programs available to meet my demands. Trish Brackett of Northwest Employment Works was one of those providers. Due to Trish's knowledge and professionalism, my experience was positive. The mill has now re-opened, and I am thankful for my job. However, if the need arises, my resume is much more attractive with the added credentials and education gained through the assistance of Second Career.
Jim Chappell
Second Career: Dwayne Healey
“I was laid off from my employer in 2009 and filed for EI based on a part-time wage. When I decided to go back to further my education, I contacted Trisha and Lucie at the Confederation College Employment Service and the transition from that point to starting my classes in September/2009 was made simple and quick. I was extremely pleased with the service that both Confederation College Employment Services and the Second Career Program offered, and would recommend this process to anyone considering furthering their education.
Trisha, Lucie, Penny and the rest of the staff were very helpful in getting things started for me, and were very sensitive to my situation. They were extremely helpful, kind and made the experience an enjoyable one. I am extremely grateful for this experience and have absolutely no regrets. If anyone is considering furthering their education and are worried about the process, the team at the Employment Services will do everything they can to make that transition as smooth as possible. I am nearing the end of my studies and my experience with Trisha Brackett, Lucie Lehoux, and Employment Ontario, I am forever grateful to them. If my writing this little blurb helps someone with their decision to return to further their education, it is not anywhere close to what these people and this process have done for me.
Thank you so much for everything you have done to make this experience a painless and memorable one”.
Gratefully appreciative,
Dwayne Healey
