Learn About Our Streams
Employment Development Services
Structured support to help you build skills, gain experience, and move toward meaningful employment.
Support That Meets You Where You Are
For those who need more intensive, structured support, Careers Under Construction offers two Employment Development service streams designed to match your current goals and readiness.
All participants begin in our Resource Centre, where our team takes the time to understand your situation and help determine which stream is the best fit. Placement is based on your individual needs and readiness—not a judgment of your worth or potential.
What Can You Expect From Path Forward?
Path Forward
Pre-Employment Support (Life Stability)
Path Forward is for people who want to work, but first need to get some bigger life challenges under control. This program focuses on building the stability, confidence, and foundational skills that make employment possible.
Helps You With
• Unstable housing or unmet basic needs
• Mental health challenges, trauma, or early recovery
• Ongoing legal involvement
• Financial crisis
• Feeling lost or disconnected from your goals
Path Forward lasts between 5 and 16 weeks depending on your needs. You will work with a staff member to build a personalized Individual Program Plan (IPP) and a Program Passport that maps your schedule of workshops and supports.
Work-Based Learning
What Path Forward Looks Like
Individual Program Plan (IPP)
Co-created with staff in your first 1–2 weeks. Sets out at least 4 life stability goals, with 2 actively being worked on.
Life Stability Workshops
Weekly 1-hour sessions on mental health, resilience, financial wellness, and more — rotating on a 4-week cycle so missed sessions can be caught up.
Mental Health & Addictions Support
"Foundations First" — a self-guided, hands-on workbook to help you reflect, track progress, and set small achievable goals.
Life Stability Workbook
"Foundations First" — a self-guided, hands-on workbook to help you reflect, track progress, and set small achievable goals.
Service Navigation
Ongoing support connecting you to housing, legal aid, income supports, childcare, and other community resources as needed.
Bi-Weekly Check-Ins
Regular meetings with your staff contact to review your progress, adjust your plan, and celebrate wins.
What Can You Expect From Career Connect?
Career Connect
Employment Development
Career Connect is for people who have addressed or stabilized their main life challenges and are ready to focus on finding a job. You can enter Career Connect directly, after using the Resource Centre, or after completing Path Forward. Career Connect lasts a minimum of 12 weeks and includes both continued life stability support and targeted job readiness activities.
Career Connect participants have access to real-world work experience through two options:
Option 1: Work-Based Learning
Option 2: Workplace Simulation
A Living Allowance of $15/hour is paid to participants during these activities.
Helps You With
• At least one meeting per week with your Employment Coach
• Active job search using tools including Acuspire (AI-powered job matching)
• Resume, cover letter, and interview preparation
• Employment Readiness Workshops
• Mock interview clinics and job fairs
• Connection to Work-Based Learning and Work Simulation opportunities
• Ongoing mental health and addictions support if needed
Option 1
Work-Based Learning
Real, paid workplace placements
At Careers Under Construction, Work Exposure (WE) is more than just a placement—it’s a supported, paid opportunity to gain real-world experience and move toward permanent employment.
This program is designed for participants in Stream 2 who have demonstrated consistent participation and are ready to take the next step into a structured work environment.
How It Works
Once you’re ready, you’ll be matched with a local employer in the Fort Saskatchewan and Industrial Heartland region for a short-term, paid placement.
Placements typically run 3 to 6 months
Work schedules range from 15 to 40 hours per week
Positions are paid at minimum wage or higher
Some placements may be extended up to 26 weeks, depending on the situation
These are real jobs with real employers, giving you the chance to build experience, confidence, and workplace skills in a supportive environment.
A Plan Built Around You
Before your placement begins, you’ll work with your CUC coach and employer to create a personalized Work Plan.
This plan includes:
Clear goals and expectations
Ongoing support and regular check-ins
Feedback from your supervisor
A structured learning experience tailored to your growth
Every placement is co-designed with the employer, ensuring it’s meaningful, relevant, and aligned with your future goals.
Outcome Bonuses For Participants
3 Month Follow-Up
$40
Actively employed or enrolled in education/training
6 Month Follow-Up
$50
Still employed or in school
12 Month Follow-Up
$65
Sustained employment or education for one year
Current WBL placement partners include:
HML Contracting Ltd.
GCS Group
Edmonton Region Childcare Association (ERCCA)
Cattail Crossing Golf & Winter Club
Don’t see your area of interest? CUC staff can use Job Carving to develop a customized placement matched to your specific strengths and goals.
Option 2
Work Simulation
Hands-On Workplace Simulation Training
Work Simulation is an intensive, full-time training option for those who need to build or refresh foundational skills before entering the workforce. The two program Pathways are delivered in partnership with Omnia Training in St. Albert. Participants are expected to have reliable transportation in place, as this reflects real-world employment expectations within the industry. The CUC team will work with participants in need of temporary emergency transportation support to ensure success in training and employment.
Pathway 1
Residential Construction
• 5 weeks, Monday–Friday, 7 AM–5 PM
• Simulated construction site in St. Albert
• Carpentry, framing, tools, safety protocols
• Earn 150 Apprenticeship Blue Book hours
• Pathway to Red Seal trade certification
• Capstone: build a real framed structure
Pathway 2
Construction Project Administration
• 9 weeks, full-time
• Office-based simulation at Omnia Training
• Scheduling, documentation, admin tools (Excel, Smartsheet, Google Sheets)
• Professional communication and coordination
• Ideal for organized, detail-oriented participants
• Pathway to project support or admin roles
All Work Simulation participants are supported in obtaining required safety certifications (including WHMIS, First Aid/CPR, CSTS 2020, Confined Space, and Fall Protection) before training begins.
Ongoing Support After Completion
CUC doesn’t disappear after you find work. Retention and Sustainment Services begin once you complete Stream 2 or achieve an employment/education outcome. This includes:
- Formal check-ins at 3, 6, and 12 months after program completion
- Phone, text, or in-person support as needed to address well-being and emerging challenges
- A personalized Job Retention Plan to help identify and address potential risks to keeping your job
- Work Maintenance & Support — up to 8 weeks of additional coaching if you’re at risk of losing a job due to transition challenges
- Ongoing access to the Resource Centre
What You Gain
During your placement, you’ll build more than just experience—you’ll gain: Practical, hands-on job skills Confidence in a real work environment References and supervisor feedback A Work Experience Summary you can use on your resume
What Happens Next
Many participants are hired directly by their placement employer—but if not, you won’t be left on your own. CUC will continue to support you by helping you: Leverage your new experience Strengthen your resume and job search Connect with other employers The goal is always the same: helping you move into sustainable, long-term employment.
Do You Have Questions About Our Program?
FAQ's
Unless referred, all job seekers begin with an intake assessment, where our team gets to know your situation and helps determine the best next step. From there, you may be guided into Path Forward or Career Connect based on your readiness and goals.
There are two pathways designed to support you at different stages:
- Path Forward: Focuses on life stability, confidence, and foundational skills
- Career Connect: Focuses on job readiness, employment, and work experience
You’ll be placed in the program that best supports your success.
No. The Resource Centre in Fort Saskatchewan is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM and you are welcome to walk in any time during those hours. You do not need to call ahead or have anything prepared. Just show up and our staff will take it from there.
Yes. Career Connect, you may participate in:
- Work-Based Learning (WBL): Real placements with local employers
- Work Simulation (WS): Structured training environments to build skills
- Work Exposure (WE): Paid job placements
Yes:
- Work Exposure placements are paid at minimum wage or higher
- Work-Based Learning and Work Simulation include a living allowance (typically $15/hour)
WBL placements are real jobs with real employers in the Fort Saskatchewan area. They typically last 3–6 months and include:
- Hands-on work experience
- Supervisor feedback
- A formal learning plan
- A Work Experience Summary for your resume
Many participants are hired by their placement employer. If not, we help you:
- Use your new experience to find other opportunities
- Strengthen your resume and job search
- Connect with additional employers
Yes. CUC provides ongoing support after employment, including:
- Check-ins at 3, 6, and 12 months
- Help navigating challenges
- Job retention coaching if needed
Placement is based on your current needs, readiness, and goals—not a judgment about your abilities. Our team works with you to make sure you’re in the right place to succeed.
- Path Forward: Typically 5 to 16 weeks
- Career Connect: Minimum of 12 weeks
Your timeline may vary depending on your needs and progress.
Path Forward focuses on building a strong foundation, including:
- Life stability and mental health support
- Goal setting and personal planning
- Workshops on confidence, resilience, and life skills
- Help connecting to community supports
Career Connect focuses on getting you ready for work, including:
- Resume and interview preparation
- Job search support and coaching
- Workshops and mock interviews
- Access to real-world work experience opportunities
Work Simulation is a full-time training program designed to build or refresh your skills before entering the workforce. It includes:
- Construction or administrative training pathways
- Safety certifications (WHMIS, First Aid, CSTS, etc.)
- Real-world, structured learning environments
Work Exposure is a paid, supported job placement that helps you transition into permanent employment. You’ll:
- Work with a real employer
- Build experience in a structured environment
- Receive ongoing support and check-ins
No. Careers Under Construction is fully funded, and there is no cost to participate.
The Careers Under Construction Resource Centre is located at Suite 101, 9821 108 Street in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. We serve residents of Fort Saskatchewan, Strathcona County, and the surrounding Industrial Heartland area.
Let's Find The Right Support For You
Not sure which program or service is the best fit?
No problem. Complete the form below and our team will learn more about your goals, interests, and situation so we can help connect you with the supports and opportunities that may be right for you.