The Kikinahk Friendship Centre in La Ronge is accepting applicants for the Youth Experience and Skill Strategy Program which provides work experience and career coaching to young adults aged 18 to 29.

Lee-Wayne Nippi, an employment counsellor at Kikinahk, is running the program and he says he’ll be the one mentoring the successful applicants.

“I hire youth and then I give (them) job coaching and mentorship so that they’re getting the job-readiness skills and workplace skills,” Nippi said.

He said the program gives applicants valuable work experience while getting help to get into the careers they want.

“Depending on what they want to do career-wise, I work with them,” he said. I get them training for what they want to do. So, if they want to become a cook, I can get them the Safe Food (Handling Course) and whatever else they need.”

Nippi said this program is essential for unemployed youth in the tri-communities.

“It’s really important because it gives youth an opportunity to gain valuable work experience then succeed when they’re done,” he said.

Applicants must be unemployed and able to work in a full-time position to be considered for the 38-week program.

Applications will be accepted until June 29 with a hopefully start date of July 5.

Previously called Skill Link funding, Kikinahk has held this program since 2010.

(PHOTO: Kikinahk Friendship Centre logo. Photo courtesy of Kikinahk Friendship Centre Facebook page.)