The Rocky Learning Centre is offering a free, four-day career development workshop from March 10 to 13, aimed at helping local job seekers improve their skills and enhance their chances in the competitive job market.

The workshop, called the New Futures Program, will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day at the Rocky Learning Centre, located at 4832 49 Street. The event is designed to provide participants with the tools needed to enhance their resumes, improve their interview skills, and navigate the challenges of job searching in today’s ever-changing economy.

Sarah Fotty, Co-executive director for the Rocky Learning Centre, explained that one of the key focuses of the workshop is teaching participants how to tailor their resumes for specific job applications. In today’s job market, she says it’s no longer enough to send out a generic resume, Fotty said. “Your resume needs to be tailored to the job you’re applying for, and this workshop will help participants learn how to tweak their resumes, match the language of job postings, and research employers to make sure they stand out.”

The program will also cover essential skills such as writing compelling cover letters, goal setting, and understanding the role of applicant tracking systems, which are commonly used by employers to screen resumes online. Another highlight of the workshop is a Change Management session, aimed at helping individuals adapt to transitions in their careers.

A major component of the New Futures Program will be an interview skills workshop, which Fotty emphasized as crucial for job seekers.

In addition, the workshop will offer guidance on understanding the current job market, which Fotty says has been particularly challenging in the Rocky Mountain House area, following a series of layoffs in the region. Fotty noted that, with many job seekers competing for fewer positions, it is vital to stand out. “You have 15 seconds to grab an employer’s attention once your resume makes it to the desk. We’ll teach you how to ensure your resume and application are the ones that get noticed,” she said.

Additionally, participants who complete the full New Futures Program may also be eligible for government-funded training in essential work-related courses, such as First Aid, H2S, and WHMIS. This funding is available to help individuals gain skills that make them more competitive in the workforce.

The workshop is free to attend, and while it is ideal for participants to attend all four days, Fotty mentioned that adults with busy schedules can attend on a flexible basis.

Beyond the workshop, Monique Fedlar, interim co-executive director and literacy coordinator with the Rocky Learning Centre, says it continues to offer ongoing support for career development. “Maybe you don’t 100 per cent know what you want to transition into, you can get your high school, your post secondary, it’s a fast way of moving you forward on your career path.”

For more information, contact the Rocky Learning Centre (832 49 St, Rocky Mountain House) at 403-845-3276.