A new program called 'Spotlight On Change' is being offered later in January through the Workplace Essential Skills Training Centre (WEST) in Steinbach for women 40 years of age and older. Spokesperson Mariette Kirouac says the course helps women develop and gain confidence in nine essential workplace skills, to help them get back into the workforce or pursue a career.

"[Skills include] thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and oral communication skills. These are all skills that we work on. Also reading, writing, document use, and numeracy."

Kirouac notes, in the first week, they will conduct an assessment to determine each women's strength and work from there on each of the nine skills. The program is nine weeks long for approximately 18 hours per week.

"After nine weeks in class, we do five weeks of workplace coaching. We help you find the employment you want, we talk to the employer, we help set things up, and then the participant does the footwork to get the job interview. We then job shadow to help them improve their essential skills."

She says they have had a positive reaction from the community adding there are still a few spots available for the first class starting January 23. Interested applicants can call 204-326-2123.

"The numbers indicate that there is a need for this, that there are a lot of women who need this kind of support to get back into the workforce. We understand the workforce changes so fast, it evolves immensely when you consider modern technology. So, if you've been out of work or a stay at home mom, there's so much that has changed for which this kind of program will help re-integrate you or integrate you into the workforce."