For over 35 years, Glengarry Inter-Agency Group Employment Services (GIAG) has been helping the people of Glengarry find jobs. As the demand for employment has grown over the years, so has GIAG.
“It was founded in 1975 and started as a Human Resources Center for the Glengarry community,” says Marketing & Outreach Coordinator Julie Secours-Levert, who joined GIAG, formerly known as Glengarry Liaison, in the spring of 2011.
From North to South Glengarry, GIAG Employment Services offers a variety of help for its clientele says Secours-Levert. “We help people looking for jobs, looking to go back to school and to brush-up on their résumé. All these services are free.”
The main office, located at 3525 County Road/Route 34 in Alexandria, offers a self-serve library, access to computers and fax services for job searching, workshops, employment consulting and more. All services are offered in both French and English.
Job Consultants are available onsite to help job seekers, says Secours-Levert. “Consultants will help with interviews, résumés and job searching. They are here to guide them through the job seeking process.”
Not only does GIAG Employment Services work with job seekers but “we also help the employers,” explains Secours-Levert. Employers will be kept updated on the available programs and will be assisted in finding the right employees. The services are also free and confidential.
Similarly to job seekers, Secours-Levert would like to encourage employers who are looking for employees to register on their website at www.giag.ca. There are currently about 30 employers registered.
A job fair was held recently at GIAG and at the end of the day some people “new right on the spot they had a job,” says Secours-Levert. “It was the first of its kind. We are trying to be more proactive with job fairs and to bring workshops to local businesses depending on their needs.”
In the summer of 2011, “Job Café” was launched as an outreach service in Lancaster to offer job seekers the opportunity to exchange employment information. Located at Sweet Tooth Bakery, “Job Café” is available every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and has two job consultants onsite, says Secours-Levert. There are also computers available for people to search for employment.
“It’s convenient for people who may not have transportation to make it here (in Alexandria),” explains Secours-Levert.
Another “Job Café” recently opened in Maxville at Two Doorz Down on Main Street South. It is open on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and job consultants are also available onsite. There is also a “Job Café” at the GIAG office in Alexandria, open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesdays.
For more information on Employment Services and other services offered by GIAG, visit www.giag.ca or call 613-525-1533.
Employment Services Staff – Pictured (L-R) in front are Receptionist Jeannette Goddard and Employment Consultants Debbie McIlwain and Sharon Gach. In the middle row are Employment Consultant Jasmin “Jaz” Carrière, Employment Services Manager Susan David and Marketing & Outreach Coordinator Julie Secours-Levert. In the back row are Data Entry Clerk Anik Samson, Career Development Consultant Anik Lavigne and IT Technician Bill Vincent.
