For more than 20 years, WorkingNB and the Saint John Learning Exchange (SJLE) have worked together to create opportunities for New Brunswickers facing barriers to education and employment.
A branch of the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, WorkingNB’s mandate is workforce development. Its focus is on developing a skilled workforce and reducing barriers to employment across New Brunswick. WorkingNB connects individuals with employment opportunities while helping employers find and retain the talent they need to succeed.
In addition, WorkingNB works closely with community partners to strengthen the province’s workforce. As labour market needs continue to evolve and systemic barriers such as generational poverty become increasingly complex, WorkingNB collaborates with organizations that provide supports and services to help individuals overcome challenges and successfully enter or re-enter the workforce.
As one of the Saint John Learning Exchange’s longest-standing funders, WorkingNB has supported the organization’s evolution and growth, helping expand programming that empowers learners to achieve their educational, employment, empowerment, and personal goals.
Investing in Innovation
Mike Quinn, the Regional Director of WorkingNB Southwest, shares that SJLE has consistently demonstrated its ability to respond to the community’s needs while delivering measurable outcomes.
SJLE became the first organization to secure a WorkingNB contract that extended beyond two years, as well as the first paid-for-performance contract built around outcomes rather than activities alone.
The model is innovative. It reflects the shared belief that investments should focus on meaningful learner success.
“When it comes to working with individuals who are pre-employable, but on the cusp of becoming employable, the learning exchange is the perfect partner. Whether they need to get their education, develop workplace essential skills, boost their confidence to be able to succeed, or just that first person to say, you know what, you’re doing a good job and you’re going to be okay,” said Mike.
Working closely with WorkingNB and the Deputy Minister’s office, SJLE launched its first five-year agreement, a partnership that would go on to demonstrate significant impact.
Confidence Built Through Results
When it came time to renew the agreement, the decision was made easier by the strong relationship that had been built over many years and the consistent results delivered by the Saint John Learning Exchange during the initial 5 year contract.
“The Learning Exchange has such a strong reputation,” Mike explained. “That reputation wasn’t built overnight. It comes from years of delivering results and making a real difference in people’s lives.”
That confidence was earned through mutual trust and a shared commitment to helping individuals overcome barriers and achieve their goals.
“They always produce. They consistently meet and exceed their targets,” Mike added. “At the end of the day, what matters is whether people are progressing, completing their education, moving on to post-secondary studies, or finding employment. Their outcomes are phenomenal.”
The ongoing partnership between WorkingNB and the Saint John Learning Exchange reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the region’s workforce by creating opportunities for individuals to develop skills, gain confidence, and build brighter futures.
Supporting the Whole Journey
The core component to this partnership’s success is a mutual understanding that overcoming complex barriers requires an individualized, flexible approach.
“They (SJLE) meet clients (learners) wherever they’re at on that journey and help them get to the next step. Maybe the next step is not employment. Maybe the next step’s just building confidence so they can get into workplace essential skills. I love the Learning Exchange because no matter where they enter the path, wherever they’re coming from on their journey, the Learning Exchange has the capability to help,” said Mike.
With the shared recognition that employment readiness cannot be separated from basic human needs, the partnership maintains trust where SJLE can manage the foundational crises that can disrupt traditional training and may otherwise lead to a learner falling through the cracks.
“They’re working with a population that often faces multiple barriers to employment,” Mike explained. “Many people are dealing with challenges such as homelessness, mental health concerns, or have never had the opportunity to participate in the workforce. The Learning Exchange plays a critical role in helping bridge that gap and supporting people as they build the skills, confidence, and readiness needed to move toward employment.”
This collaborative approach allows both organizations to move beyond traditional training and education, creating innovative pathways that support learners and New Brunswick as a whole.
Strengthening Futures Together
As workforce needs continue to evolve and barriers to employment become increasingly complex, partnerships like this remain essential.
With the continued trust and support from WorkingNB, SJLE is able to create and offer resources that do not just train individuals but also support the community as a whole.
Together, WorkingNB and the Saint John Learning Exchange continue to demonstrate how long-term investment, trust, and shared commitment can create meaningful outcomes for learners and communities across the province.
