Region of Waterloo pilot program provides pathway to employment

Like many people within the community, Kadir Abdikadir Ibrahim and Timothy Kamita were struggling to find work.

But thanks to a new Region of Waterloo Employment Program pilot, that's changed.

The program, which partners with local industries, aims to help equity-deserving populations and residents on Ontario Works access employment services in a more direct way. Through funded short-term training it sets participants up for a successful transition to the workforce.

For Abdikadir Ibrahim and Kamita, they were in the first cohort for the Grand Valley Construction Association's Path to Employment Program. 

"I had informed my caseworker that I hadn't found a job," Abdikadir Ibrahim said. "After that, she emailed to me about this program and I applied for training."

The Cambridge-based organization then placed Abdikadir Ibrahim and Kamita at Fritz-Alder Precast in Waterloo where they remain employed.

Abdikadir Ibrahim believes the program is beneficial for everyone involved as people searching for work get help finding it and employers hire eager employees.

"I gained different knowledge and skills about how to work for companies in Canada and what would be the roles and responsibilities of the employer and the employee," he said.

"The employers will also have an advantage because they'll hire people who already understand how to do the work."

Kamita was working a part-time landscaping job but had been searching for something full-time. Having no luck despite submitting resumes and attending a few interviews, he connected with his employment coach at the YMCA and was introduced to the pilot.

"It's beneficial because I've added new skills to my resume," Kamita said.

"With this job I'm also able to meet my basic needs."

Funding for the program comes at a cost of $575,000 that's split between the tax levy and Tax Stabilization Reserve and $421,000 through the province.

Abdikadir Ibrahim and Kamita are just two success stories, as 15 of the 19 participants in the initial cohort found full-time employment. Of them, 89 per cent had no previous income or were receiving Ontario Works, while two were in the shelter system and assisted to secure housing.

Martha Wolf, manager of employment and income supports for the Region of Waterloo, is tasked with helping oversee the program.

Wolf said the region is constantly looking for unique partnerships to close the gaps in employment and get people off social assistance.

Part of what makes the program successful, she said, is it's designed to serve smaller groups at a time as opposed to larger employment initiatives.

"So much of the really meaningful work doesn't happen in a big program that serves thousands of people, it happens in cohorts of 10 and 20 where you can really get to know a person and understand what their individual challenges are," Wolf said.

"Where all the partners who are supporting the individual also get to understand and become invested in the success. That's where we can actually see real lasting change."

On a broader level, Wolf hopes the community sees the potential among all residents if given the chance to succeed.

"I think everyone might remember how it feels to need help or to look for a job," she said.

"Times that by a million when you consider having an unstable housing situation or food scarcity. For an individual to find their way from a situation like that to then commit to paying attention with enthusiasm and persevere with hope, it's so many things most of us take for granted."

This year, the region secured additional funding to run the pilot until March 2025.

As part of the 2025 budget process, council will have the opportunity to extend it until the end of the year, after which it's intended to be fully funded without a regional levy contribution.