For over 40 years, the Brant Skill Centre has been providing programs for adults in Brantford and Brant County to enhance their skills in a variety of areas.
Lori Bruner, who has been the Executive Director of the centre for a little over 20 years, explained what they have to offer.
“It is a registered charity dedicated to helping adults and older youth build the literacy and essential skills they need for lifelong learning, employment, and independence. We offer a wide range of free, personalized programs designed to support learners in areas such as reading, writing, math as well as digital technology, financial literacy, and workplace readiness,” Bruner said. “We work alongside people who come to us (we refer to as ‘learners’) to help them achieve the goals that really matter to them whether it’s gaining employment, going back to school, or becoming more independent in daily life…being able, for example, to send that email, or being able to help their child with homework, and some of those things that we can help learners with. We meet people where they’re at and support them every step of the way.”
However, during her time at the centre, Bruner has worked with many learners over the years and discussed a few stories that resonated with her.
“There are so many great stories, but there are always a few that really jump out. We made some videos on YouTube channel, highlighting some successes, and one of those videos was was about Jeanette, a past learner. She is severe to profoundly deaf, and she talks about how she’s about to order groceries online, make doctor’s appointments online, and communicate with friends and family online, because she learned some basic digital skills at the centre. She talked about how her world was getting smaller, and now it’s open again. And when I talk about tasks for independence, that’s the thing we’re really talking about,” explained Bruner. “We’ve had other people who were not successful in writing their red seal or certificate of qualification to become a journeyperson [and] they found out about us. We helped them with testing [and] working with questions, comprehension, how to read, and questions for understanding. And everybody that has come to us with that goal in mind has been successful in being and becoming certified.”
Nevertheless, the programs offered continue to support learners across various areas.
“People come to us with a range of goals, and they usually fit within one of the five goal paths we support which is employment, apprenticeship, secondary education, post-secondary education and independence. But each person within those goal paths has their own individual needs, so that’s why we look at providing those personalized programs,” Bruner explained. “We do offer one-on-one support, but we also work a lot within small groups, but still try to work within smaller groups within those groups because no two people are the same. We find out where their strengths are and capitalize on those strengths in order to develop some other skills in other areas. We essentially meet people where they’re at and support them every step of the way.”
One of the main reasons for the centre’s continued success has been the positive word-of-mouth and referrals, as well as the staff’s commitment to creating useful programs, especially when it comes to employment.
“One of the biggest reasons people find out about us and come in is through word of mouth, which speaks to our reputation and the quality of the programs we offer. We also get referrals from community partners and other organizations,” said Bruner. “When we determine programs…we work closely with the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie [and] look at the labor market, where things are and where things are going or where it might be going. We’ll do our own research and find out what skills or knowledge is required for certain types of employment, and that involves communicating with employers as well, making sure what we’re offering matches with what they’re looking for.”
Currently, the centre is looking to move spaces, and is continuing to get help from community partners.
“We are trying to find another location…we’re provided 90 days to find another location that will enable us to continue thriving in the community, and therefore helping the community thrive as well. So that’s an extreme challenge that we’re going through right now. And of course, that relates back to funding as well. We are very appreciative and proud to receive funding from the provincial government. But with everything, with a lot of things, that funding has been status quo,” she explained. “We receive funding from a grant from the United Way … which has been wonderful, especially as we look to make this huge transition. We’ve had some community members and partners reach out with suggestions for space. It’s a huge challenge, though. We need about 2,000 square feet and the money to make it into a conducive learning environment.”
However, Bruner relishes the chance to learn something every day at the centre.
“Much like what we do here, I learn something every day from one of our clients or learners. We truly believe in lifelong learning, and I believe in that. I have learned constantly from our community partners who themselves do wonderful work in the community,” Bruner said.
According to Bruner, the importance of collaboration is vital to the success of Brantford and the County of Brant.
“I think what makes it special is that we all truly want to see each other succeed and see our community succeed. It’s really nothing to pick up a phone and just call somebody, another agency or another organization, to have a chat and make things happen. The other day I was talking with the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant whom we work with, and we got into a discussion of how amazing our Brantford community is when it comes to communicating and networking. This isn’t a huge place, but it is a size where I think we surprise many people on how well we work together,” she concluded.
