Learner Stories

Al’s Story

Al’s Story

When I came to the Learning Exchange, I knew I was looking for something different. I had experienced the traditional path – creating a resume, then reworking it, sending it around and was getting no response. I had come from a high-paying job in Nova Scotia and had a lot of experience but the feedback I was getting was that I was overqualified – or seemed to be. Someone had recommended the Learning Exchange and I made the call. 

When I met with Erin, she looked beyond my resume and saw me as a person. That meeting changed my outlook on what kind of job I wanted. Erin and her team made me feel welcome from the beginning. They followed my progress, including any rejections. We looked at them not as failure, but as a chance to discuss what happened, why and what we could do next to change that outcome. 

At other agencies I felt like a number. I went to the meetings. I followed a plan. The Learning Exchange was the complete opposite of that. Erin knew from our conversations that I would be good dealing with the public. She saw an opportunity open up at CAA and put two and two together that this would be a great fit. She saw it before I did. 

And now I have a job that’s right for me. I love getting up every day. 

In my experience, it felt like the team at the Learning Exchange wouldn’t feel successful if I wasn’t successful. If my path hadn’t crossed with Erin and the Learning Exchange I don’t know where I would be today.

More Learner Stories

Eric’s Story

My sister was going to the Learning Exchange to work in her GED and was always talking about how great everyone was there and how friendly it was. I reached out to them because I wanted to try to complete my GED as well.

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Trish’s Story

I did the Power Up program in 2015. I was just starting out on a journey to know what abilities I had.  It wasn’t easy but it was worth it.  Power Up definitely helped with my confidence and I met several people who would be part of my life in the days to come, helping me become the best person I can be. 

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Shelley’s Story

About a year ago, I was referred to the Power Up program by Social Development. My favorite part was the expectation that we were responsible to be there. I treated it like a job. I got up in the morning, got my coffee ready and went. One of the topics that really stuck with me was on joy. I had not considered the idea that you could be happy for the sake of being happy. I wanted to find my happiness. Since then, I have taken WEN’s Self-Esteem course. This came at the perfect time in my life because I had just left an abusive relationship. The support of everyone there kept me going. I got my power back. I am currently taking the Stress Management course. I’ve become even more involved in the Learning Exchange. I graduated from WESLinks before Christmas and am now enrolled in WorkLinks. My son and I are planning to host a cultural workshop and talking circle so the learners can discover more about First Nations. I’m excited to give back. When you walk into the building, you feel like you are coming home. Everyone there is working together to help you. You put your mind to it, you commit, and you will get what you want out of the programs.

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