Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Jun 28/00) - If you need a job or someone to do a job, the Work Centre might be a good place to start.

In its third year of operation, the successful service is run through the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre.

Manager Kevin Sanguin says the centre's main service is to match employees with employers who have positions to fill for casual, part-time and full-time work.

A student summer employment centre was also started last year at the work centre with financial help from the federal government. The summer employment service is run by student supervisor Ericka Chemko.

"We have one part of the service dedicated solely to student employment, resume development and employment counselling," says Sanguin.

"The work centre covers everyone else who may be looking for work at any level of professional development."

The centre was originally funded by the National Association of Friendship Centres through its Aboriginal Urban Initiatives program.

Kivalliq Partners in Development took over funding in 1999, and negotiations are ongoing for funding to continue again this year.

Top-notch service

The centre offers complete support services to its clients by taking care of the financial work, including payroll, Workers' Compensation, Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance and vacation pay.

Employers are billed by way of invoice and the centre issues T-4s at the end of the year.

In addition, the centre also helps in resume and cover letter preparation, employee support and referrals, employee selection, screening, site visits, employee counselling and student employee services.

A consultation is held with both the employer and employee at the conclusion of the work placement or intermittently for longer job placements.

Sanguin says overall, the Rankin business community has been very receptive to the program.

The centre has put 135 registered clients into more than 200 jobs during the last three years.

About 25 of those placements evolved into full-time positions as a result of work centre training and referrals.

"The feedback we've received has been very good. Many people appreciate the help to have the connection between themselves and the employers.

"They appreciate the extra support to help get them back into the workforce," says Sanguin.