It looks like any other classroom. But these students are only here for eight weeks - and chances are there is a job waiting for them upon graduation.
The Tri-County Literacy Council has created a new program to help local transportation and warehousing operations staff there massive facilities with fresh employees.
With Cornwall quickly becoming a hub for giant-sized warehouse and material handling facilities, there is a growing need for more employees. The problem is, some who are just entering the workforce for the first time, and others who need to be retrained, lack the skills necessary to do the job.
Nancy Pilote, a Tri-County essential skills instructor, said the summer edition of the program filled up quickly and there is already a list of people waiting for a fall session, should it be funded.
"We're really trying to bring them up to date with some of the stuff they are going to need to get this kind of job," she said. "There are some who haven't had the opportunities...and they're looking for which way to go.
"We need to get people employed."
Tri-County has partnered with Ontario Works, the Benson Group, and Drake International to create the program. The training is based on essential skills and the students taking part in the program are often without a Grade 12 diploma, may lack adequate literacy skills and have little or no work history.
Bob Peters, a member of the city's economic development department, said resumes are being accepted, or will be accepted very soon, at Supply Chain Management, and the new distribution centres - Shoppers Drug Mart and Target - being created in Cornwall.
"In general the logistics sector continues to grow in Cornwall...(and those employers) are always looking for good people," he said. "And the more skills that an individual can bring to the table, the better."
Candidates accepted into the Tri-County program are screened and trained in areas including health and safety, workforce literacy, equipment, and measurement.
The curriculum for the course was written by Carolyn Eva, a literacy employee. The course was written in conjunction with several local employers. It was funded by the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills, through Literacy Link of Eastern Ontario. The course was field tested in literacy programs throughout Canada. Because of the success of the program, TCLC realized its great training potential here in Cornwall Ontario.
