Thanks to funding from the provincial government, the Canadian Mental Health Association Hastings and Prince Edward will be able to prepare dozens of people who might otherwise have a hard time getting a job enter the workforce.
Wednesday at CMHA’s headquarters in the former Nortel building in Belleville, Bay of Quinte riding MPP and cabinet minister Todd Smith announced $900,000 in funding so the organization can run what’s called an In-Spire Futures program.
The program is meant to help multi-barriered people such as those with disabilities, lack of formal education, and homelessness.
A 10-week course will teach people both hard and soft skills with a focus on preparing them for jobs in the food service industry locally.
It’s hoped 50 people will graduate from the program by the end of 2021.
Much of the learning will take place at an industrial kitchen next to the CMHA’s offices in partnership with Continuing on in Education (COED).
