Despite submitting countless job applications, Michael was met with a disheartening lack of response.

“I handed out my resume to pretty much every business in town with no reply back” he recalls.

Michael, a member of the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, had recently relocated from Winnipeg to Thompson to be closer to his family. In the meantime, he worked 10 alongside his father and brother at their summer camp to earn an income.

“I was doubting whether I’d ever find a job. I finally found this program and Mansi helped me out big time. She helped me get my drive back and get me back on track with things,” he says.

Mansi is an Employment Development Specialist with Manitoba Possible’s Rural Remote Supported Employment (RRSE) program, helping Manitobans who face barriers to employment prepare for and find employment.

This new program—funded by the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund Program for Persons with Disabilities—expands upon Manitoba Possible’s Northern Employment Preparation services. Now, for the first time, services are also available in Dauphin and The Pas.

Employment development specialists like Mansi tailor support to the specific needs of each community, ensuring individuals receive personalized assistance in pre-employment counselling, resume and cover letter development, interview skills coaching, and ultimately, job placement.

“Michael worked hard, through a lot of hurdles,” says Mansi. “Now, not only is he employed, but his new boss is ecstatic, telling me, ‘We need more Michaels!’”

The main goal of the program is to give individuals living in remote or northern communities the skills, education, resources, and support they need to successfully join or rejoin the workforce. The program also extends support to employers, equipping them with guidance and resources to address their specific labour needs. Many Northern Manitobans face challenges in navigating available resources and services due to their remote location. RRSE serves as a guide, helping individuals navigate complex service systems, disability accommodations and employment opportunities through a personalized approach that is tailored to the unique needs of individuals living in remote or northern regions.

“When individuals with disabilities are empowered to participate in the workforce, it not only benefits them individually, but also strengthens communities as a whole,” says Alyssa Wiebe, Manitoba Possible’s Rural Program Manager. “Our hope with expanding the program is that it leads to increased employment rates, economic growth, and community engagement in remote and northern regions, creating more resilient and diverse communities.”

For Michael, securing employment marks a significant milestone, enabling him to reciprocate the support he received from his family.

“Now I can start paying them back. Start doing what I wanted to do from the beginning,” he says. “This job helped me and now I can help out my family who have helped me.”