Bridging Program

Bridging provides a flexible range of programs, services and supports based on the needs of the client.  This includes assessment, career counselling, job readiness skills, employability skills, life skills, academic upgrading, literacy, entry level skills, work experience, mentoring, job coaching, job development services, and employment related supports.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• To provide employment related supports to eligible participants that will enhance their ability to find on-going employment
• To provide learning environments suited to the needs of individuals or particular groups

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants can include:

• community based organizations
• public and private post-secondary training and education institutions
• certified private trainers
• registered businesses
• municipal or local governments
• Indian Bands
• Tribal Councils
• Métis Nations of Saskatchewan
• trade unions
• industry associations or councils
• individual community members.

Eligible Participants
Eligible participants must be:

• 18 years of age or older
• a resident of Saskatchewan
• legally eligible to work in Saskatchewan
• be in receipt of Saskatchewan Assistance Plan benefits, the Provincial Training Allowance or Employment Insurance Benefits.
  or
  unemployed individuals:

• with an established Employment Insurance (EI) benefits period; or
• whose EI benefit period ended within the last three (3) years; or
• who received EI maternity or parental benefits within the past five (5) years and are re-entering the labour force after having left it to care for newborn or newly adopted children.

Eligible participants may be eligible to receive the Provincial Training Allowance while participating in a Bridging Program.  

Summary

Proposal Criteria
Applicants interested in developing a Bridging Project must attach a proposal to the application form outlining the following project criteria:

1. Rationale - Why is the proposed project required?  What participant group will benefit from the project?
2. Project Description and Course Content - Describe the proposed activities.
3. Training - Describe the skills development, accredited/certified training and delivery methods.
4. Project Outcomes - Describe the measurable project outcomes.  (e.g. formal statement of achievement, learning and employment outcomes, and/or certified training).
5. Evaluation - How will the project and participants be evaluated?  Interim /final evaluations are required.
6. Links to Employment - How will participants be linked to employment opportunities?
7. Partnerships - Are there other community partners involved in the project?  Provide details.
8. Instructor Qualifications - Provide details.
9. The following must also be attached to the proposal:
   (a) Annual financial statement.
   (b) If applicable, summary of successful project history and/or letters of support.
   c) Letter of support for the project from the Board of Directors and the name of the individual who has the authority to sign the contract if the project is approved.

Eligible Costs

• instructor/mentor salaries and benefits
• honorariums
• skills training delivered through a third party
• administrative costs, if incremental
• facility rental costs, if incremental  
• equipment rental
• learning materials and supplies
• trainee wages during work placements
• job development services
• liability insurance in the case of injury in classroom settings or in work placements
• program development costs, if a new program offered for the first time
• monitoring and evaluation

Funding Assistance
Funding up to a maximum of $5,000 per program participant is available for eligible Bridging Projects.  The program reserves the right to negotiate the level of funding based on the needs of individuals or particular groups.

Program Proposal Submissions

• applicants must submit an application for program funding assistance
• applications should be submitted directly to the local office, for a complete list of offices in Saskatchewan see the document Canada-Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services
• applications will be assessed and approved based on the needs of eligible participants
• applications will be accepted by the program until all regional funding has been committed
• the program has the right to limit the amount of funding to any one employee

Saskatchewan Contact(s):
Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment
Web site: http://www.sasknetwork.ca