Fort Erie’s Job Gym a ‘bridge’ between employers and job-seekers

Are you looking for work? Have you sent out resumes without hearing back? If so, it might be time to visit the local gym. The Job Gym that is.

Job Gym Employment Services is a division of the John Howard Society of Niagara, a non-profit organization that was established in 1949.

Job Gym was originally called the Youth and Community Employment Services (YACES). YACES was established in 1981 with funding from the the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Services were first offered in St. Catharines but soon expanded to Fort Erie and Welland.

In 1998, YACES got a makeover and was transformed into the Job Gym.

Jay Gemmell, executive director of the John Howard Society of Niagara, told Fort Erie Radio that Job Gym serves as a “bridge” between job-seekers and employers.

By working with Job Gym’s employment councilors, job-seekers are assisted by job developers to be put on a short list shown to employers.

“When you’re on Indeed, you’re competing with a million people, you’re a name or a resume. Here, you build a relationship and that relationship then translates to a job developer who speaks specifically to employers,” said Gemmell.

“The employer isn’t fishing in the sea. It’s a much smaller body of water,” he explained. “It allows that bridge to be built between people who need employees and people who want to be employees.”

Job Gym is funded by the by the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities.

In addition to offering a curated job board, Job Gym also offers support like providing one on one employment counselling and referrals, presenting information to local high schools, conducting job fairs, providing a variety of workshops, and much more.

Another program highlighted by Gemmell included the work boot program. If a job-seeker lands a position requiring steel-toe boots and they are without, the Job Gym and their partners will be able to supply gently used boots to help prospective employees get their feet in the door.

As far as upcoming events, the Gym will be hosting a pair of workshops on July 23. Gemmell noted there will be more events offered in the fall.

From 9 until 10 a.m. will be a workshop on the steps to starting a small business. The seminar will review the rules and regulations surrounding starting up a small business. Topics include licensing, name registration and the basics of taxation.

The other workshop, which runs from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., is called Business Plan Development and will teach attendees about what a business plan is and how to put one together.

Both workshops will be run at the Fort Erie Job Gym, which is located at 469 Central Avenue.

The workshops will be offered again in Fort Erie in November, and there are additional dates each month at the Job Gym location in Welland.

Seating is limited so registration is required.

Those interested in the services Job Gym has to offer is invited to call (905) 871-3932 or email jobgym@jhs-niagara.ca.

Gemmell added that drop-ins are welcome at their Central Avenue location.

“If we talk to you, we’re going to offer you the service that you need,” he said.

Stay Informed

Events, offers, contests, and breaking news, all delivered straight to your inbox.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Subscribe