Message from the Board Chair & CEO

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are thrilled to report on the progress our organization has made over the past year in our mission to help individuals find meaningful employment and employers build diverse workforces. This year, we have helped 1,230 individuals find employment, provided training and support to 8,100 individuals while also supporting over 950 employers in accessing diverse and work-ready talent pools.

Last year we launched five new programs, programs such as our Alberta Lodging and Hotel Association pilot project which, funded by the Government of Alberta, provides a work/experience training program to support individuals on building career paths in hospitality. It’s innovative and ground-breaking. In addition, we signed our first ever contract with Alberta Child Services to support successful transitions of youth in care into adulthood. We’re excited about the possibilities this program represents to build pathways to success for youth who are at risk of long-term engagement with social services, the justice system and behaviours that, without appropriate supports at the critical transition stage in their lives, could lead to failure to thrive in society.

While these numbers are impressive, what truly stands out to us is the incredible work of our staff and volunteers. They are the heart and soul of our organization, and their dedication, compassion, and expertise are what make our work possible.

Because of the commitment and dedication of staff to improving the opportunities for Albertans to connect to the workforce and the generosity of our donors and volunteers to extend our service offerings through their generous giving of their time, talents and treasures, we are able to continually connect job seekers with employment opportunities, employers with talented job-candidates, provide training and support to both job seekers and employers, and to advocate for practices, programs and policies that create a more inclusive and equitable workforce.

All this hard work and commitment has not gone unnoticed. This year, we were honored to be named by the Premier to receive the Council of the Federation Literacy Award 2022, which is a testament to the dedication and passion of our team and volunteers.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the possibilities that the future holds. We remain committed to our mission of helping individuals find meaningful employment, and we are confident that our team has the skills and experience to continue making a difference.

Thank you for all you do to make our work possible. Together, we can create a stronger and more equitable workforce for all Albertans.

Sincerely,

Gary Agnew, Board Chair

Kevin McNichol, CEO