Prospect aims to serve job seekers and employers in Strathmore

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

A new organization is moving into Strathmore next month, offering career and employment information services.
Prospect Human Services (Prospect) is a private not-for-profit charitable organization that’s served communities across Alberta for over 20 years.
Having acquired Strathmore, Prospect now operates out of seven locations that offer seven job placement services and 12 employment focused programs with emphasis on community engagement, building relationships with surrounding communities – such as Standard and Siksika Nation – and working with persons with disabilities.
The organization, which has been providing career and employment information services since 1997, works with over 12,000 Albertans annually.
“We know that McBride (Career Group) provided quality support and we really want to recognize that. We’re excited to bring our quality services out to Strathmore as well,” said Alexi Davis, director of employment services with Prospect. “I think a huge focus is on building relationships and there’s a lot of different stakeholders there that are important to the economy. We’re certainly going to be reaching out and doing a lot of community outreach, participating on different councils and committees where it makes sense, and doing a lot of employer relationship building.”
Prospect will provide Strathmore with an employment resource centre along with information on the labour market, job search, employment standards, resumé writing and interview questions. Access to short-term courses, career planning and programs targeted at employers will also be available.
According to Davis, Strathmore’s growing community with its wide range of demographics, local businesses and educational providers proved attractive to the organization.
“A strong economy and a strong workforce is an economy that everyone can participate in to the best of their ability,” she noted. “We want to support a productive inclusive workforce and that’s better for employers, that’s better for industry, and that’s better for communities. So, services like this certainly help to strengthen communities by helping people be as meaningful and engaged in the workforce as employers are able to accommodate.”
For the past seven years, McBride Career Group offered similar services to those seeking jobs or employees, while building close relationships with other local businesses and organizations. Although McBride Career Group was unable to secure the contract and remain within the community, they are aware of Prospect’s reputation and are optimistic the quality of service will continue.
“Prospect has been around for a long time, they’re a very good service provider and I do believe that they’ll do a great job in this community,” said Amber Chapman, McBride Career Group regional manager.
Prospect will officially open in Strathmore on May 1, and will be located within the Strathmore Centre on Second Street under the name Rocky View and Wheatland Employment Services.