09/09/2026
What's the best way to build workplace skills? Real life experience!
WESLinks has recently incorporated 40 mandatory volunteer hours into their program model. These volunteer hours give learners the chance to build workplace skills in a practical environment, forge connections within their community, and grow their resume! While learners can volunteer with any organization that they like, the Saint John Learning Exchange's social enterprises (Stone Soup Café & Catering, Voila! Cleaning Services, and Creative Squirrel Marketing & Design) are playing a crucial role in the WESLinks volunteer initiative by offering regular weekly volunteer placements for learners throughout the year.
When learners sign up to volunteer with one (or all!) of the social enterprises, they are given the chance to develop workplace skills specific to the culinary, cleaning, and marketing industries, all while working alongside incredibly supportive management and teammates. These volunteer placements are a safe space to learn, make mistakes, and grow, better preparing the learners for co-op placements and future job opportunities.
Since the beginning of August, more than 60 hours of volunteer work and training have been completed by WESLinks learners with the social enterprises!
