• 780-229-9291
See If You Qualify
JPER logo for Job Placement and Employment Rehabilitation

A Program Built for real life

JPER exists because getting a job isn’t just about sending résumés. It’s about having a foundation, a support system, and someone in your corner. That’s what we provide.

Real support, real opportunities, a real path forward.

What Is the JPER Program?

JPER — Job Placement and Employment Rehabilitation — is an employment and training program designed specifically for adults living in Civida social housing in Edmonton. It is completely free to join and is funded by the Government of Alberta.

Whether you’ve been out of work for a while, are working part-time and want more, or just don’t know where to start — this program was designed for people in exactly your situation. We know life can be complicated. That’s why we offer real, personalized support — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

We don’t need you to have a perfect history, a polished résumé, or a clear plan. We need you to show up, and we’ll build the rest together.

Learn More About How JPER Works
A construction worker and warehouse worker pose together with smiling faces, happy to be working.
A cook and a store clerk pose together smiling happy to be working.

Built on Decades of Helping People Move Forward

A Network With Deep Roots in Edmonton

JPER is delivered by a network of Edmonton-based employment service organizations — including CUC (Careers Under Construction), CIT (Careers in Transition), LIT (Lives in Transition), and Poppy’s — that have been providing government-funded employment programs in Alberta since 1988.

Over more than three decades, our team has helped thousands of Albertans — including individuals facing complex barriers like trauma, addiction, mental health challenges, limited work experience, and housing instability — find meaningful, sustainable work.

We are funded by the Government of Alberta. We are trauma-informed and person-centered. And we believe that every person has strengths worth building on.

See If You Qualify

What We Believe

Person-Centered Support

Every client is an individual with unique strengths, challenges, and goals.

Trauma-Informed Approach

Our approach is compassionate, non-judgmental, and built around your experience.

Accountability In
Action

We hold ourselves to high standards and continuously improve our services.

Community Connections

We have relationships with housing providers, employers & community agencies.

Proven Experience

Serving thousands of Albertans across Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan since 1988.

Driven By Innovation

Our programs are built on evidence, employer feedback, and lived experience.

FAQ's

Support That Builds Real Change

JPER is fully funded by the Government of Alberta, which means there is no cost to participate. Every part of the program—including coaching, workshops, training, and work experience—is provided at no charge.

Yes. A criminal record is one of the specific barriers this program is designed to help people work through. You will not be turned away because of your history. We work with people dealing with all kinds of challenges, including legal involvement, and we will not judge you for yours.

JPER is designed to go beyond job searching. We understand that for many people, employment challenges are connected to real-life barriers like housing, mental health, childcare, or time away from work.

Instead of focusing only on resumes and applications, we support the full journey—helping you build stability, confidence, skills, and experience before connecting you to employment. Our goal isn’t just to help you find a job, but to help you build something sustainable.

JPER is part of the Careers Under Construction (CUC) network, which has been delivering employment programs in Alberta for over 37 years.

This program is a focused stream designed specifically for Civida social housing tenants, with a model built around wraparound support and long-term outcomes.

JPER is designed for adults living in Civida or other social housing in Edmonton, or those on a housing waitlist, who are ready to take steps toward employment.

You don’t need to have recent work experience or everything figured out. Many participants are returning to the workforce after time away or navigating challenges that have made employment difficult.

You’ll work one-on-one with an Employment Coach who helps you build a plan based on your goals and situation.

Support may include:

  • Life stability connections (housing, childcare, mental health, transportation)
  • Job search and interview preparation
  • Skills training and certifications
  • Supported work experience
  • Help connecting to real job opportunities

Support continues even after you start working to help you succeed long-term.

Once you connect with us, we’ll set up a one-on-one conversation to learn more about your situation, your goals, and what kind of support would be most helpful.

From there, we’ll determine together whether JPER is the right fit and what your next steps could look like. If it’s not the right fit, we’ll help connect you to the right support.

No. Many participants start by focusing on building stability, confidence, and readiness before moving into job search or training.

We meet you where you are and help you move forward at a pace that makes sense for you.

That’s more common than you might think.

JPER is designed specifically for people who haven’t found success in traditional programs. Our approach is more flexible, more personalized, and built around real-life challenges—not just job placement.

We meet you where you are and help you move forward at a pace that makes sense for you.

Getting started is simple.

You can fill out the online intake form, call us directly, or connect with us through a community location. There’s no pressure—just a conversation to explore your options.

Ready to take the first step? Apply online or reach out today.

That’s okay. You don’t need to decide before reaching out. We’ll talk through your situation and help you figure out your next step—whether that’s JPER or something else.

Apply Today and Let Us Help You Create A New Path Forward

Are You Eligible?

You may be eligible for JPER if you:

  • Live in Civida social housing unit in Edmonton, OR are on a waitlist for Civida social housing
  • Are 18 years of age or older
  • Are unemployed, working fewer than 20 hours per week, or underemployed
  • Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or convention refugee
  • Are legally allowed to work in Canada
  • Are ready and willing to take steps toward employment (even if those steps feel small right now)

You don’t need to have your life perfectly in order to apply. If you’re facing barriers — mental health, lack of childcare, limited work history, transportation challenges, financial stress — we want to hear from you. Those are exactly the kinds of challenges this program is designed to help you work through.

take your first step now

Start Building What's Next

Apply Today
A restaurant manager and line cook pose together in the kitchen of a restaurant with smiling faces.
A female daycare worker poses with a young child in a partial embrace; both smiling with toy blocks in front of them.