December 7, 2012
BRANDON-Premier Greg Selinger officially opened a new worker advocacy centre here today in partnership with members of the Brandon and District Labour Council.
“This centre will provide residents of Brandon and Westman with the information, advice and representation they need to tap into job opportunities,” said Selinger. “The Brandon workforce is critical as we grow our economy toward our target of 75,000 more workers by 2020. More good jobs in Westman mean more young families will choose to put down roots here and this centre will connect workers with opportunities.”
The Brandon and District Worker Advocacy Centre (BDWAC) provides a range of services including information on training opportunities through employment insurance, career counselling, access to benefits, and help with job searches and financial management.
“We’re sure our office will be of great value to the workers in the region who need help filing and presenting appeals when dealing with employment insurance or other benefits,” said Del Davidson, president, BDWAC. “Over the years we have seen these programs become more difficult to navigate and the appeals process become more intimidating.”
The new centre is non-profit, run by a volunteer board and employs full-time worker advocate Curtis Martel. The new office is open to the general public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
The new, community-based initiative complements existing provincial services such as employment standards services, a worker advisor office and a large Workplace Safety and Health Division presence in Brandon, said Selinger.
In February, the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Manitoba opened a Brandon office to service workers and employers located in Brandon and Westman. The Brandon office provides initial adjudication of claims and case management functions, and offers a range of services such as health-care examinations, vocational rehabilitation and SAFE Work services. In the past, customers travelled to Winnipeg for these services or Winnipeg WCB staff travelled to Brandon.
NEW WORKER ADVOCACY CENTRE IN BRANDON WILL CONNECT WORKERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES: PREMIER
“This centre will provide residents of Brandon and Westman with the information, advice and representation they need to tap into job opportunities,” said Selinger. “The Brandon workforce is critical as we grow our economy toward our target of 75,000 more workers by 2020. More good jobs in Westman mean more young families will choose to put down roots here and this centre will connect workers with opportunities.”
The Brandon and District Worker Advocacy Centre (BDWAC) provides a range of services including information on training opportunities through employment insurance, career counselling, access to benefits, and help with job searches and financial management.
“We’re sure our office will be of great value to the workers in the region who need help filing and presenting appeals when dealing with employment insurance or other benefits,” said Del Davidson, president, BDWAC. “Over the years we have seen these programs become more difficult to navigate and the appeals process become more intimidating.”
The new centre is non-profit, run by a volunteer board and employs full-time worker advocate Curtis Martel. The new office is open to the general public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
The new, community-based initiative complements existing provincial services such as employment standards services, a worker advisor office and a large Workplace Safety and Health Division presence in Brandon, said Selinger.
In February, the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Manitoba opened a Brandon office to service workers and employers located in Brandon and Westman. The Brandon office provides initial adjudication of claims and case management functions, and offers a range of services such as health-care examinations, vocational rehabilitation and SAFE Work services. In the past, customers travelled to Winnipeg for these services or Winnipeg WCB staff travelled to Brandon.
- 30 -
No comments:
Post a Comment