Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Second Session, 38th Parliament
October 31, 2006

Ms. Deborah Matthews (London North Centre)

Today I’d like to recognize a terrific non-profit organization in my riding of London North centre. Under the leadership of David Corke and Mary Whitaker, the London Training Centre is partnering with employers and other community agencies in London to help unemployed and at-risk-youth, women, new Canadians and older unemployed workers to develop their skills so they can find jobs, independence and a brighter future.

The London Training Centre has formed a strong partnership with the Western Fair Association to train people in food service and hospitality programs, fields with a high demand for new workers. Among other things, the Western Fair donates the use of their industrial kitchens to the program.

Last week I met three extraordinary and determined women who have graduated. Samina Malik is a new Canadian and a single mother of four children who is now working in a high school cafeteria. Laurel Helmuth dropped out of school, but thanks to this program is now working at a photography studio and is headed to college. Carol Kechego got a job at Kellogg’s after a long absence from the workforce.

These are just three of the 1,000 people who have graduated from the London Training Centre in the last three years, 92% of whom have found employment. Recently, The Ontario Trillium Foundation awarded this organization a grant to expand this very successful program to 12 other communities across the province.

I congratulate Samina, Laurel, Carol and the great team at the London Training Centre and the Western Fair Association and thank them for helping make our community stronger.