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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 was built to help you work through.
Reach Out
Fill out our simple online intake form, call us, scan a QR code at your building, or walk into one of our mobile service locations. There are lots of ways to get started.
Your First Conversation
We’ll schedule a one-on-one intake call or meeting — on your terms, at a time that works for you. This is just a conversation. We’ll talk about where you’re at, what you’re hoping for, and how we might be able to help. If you and the program are aligned we will move forward with acceptance. If we both determine there is a better next step for you we will identify it and connect you there.
Most participants start with the Invigorate, Motivate & Mobilize (IM&M+) program, a 10-week group-based workshop series focused on building confidence, stability, and readiness. You’ll work alongside others in similar situations, explore your strengths, and begin breaking down barriers—with your Employment Coach and Service Navigator supporting you throughout.
When you’re ready, you’ll move into the employment-focused phase, where the focus shifts to building skills and connecting you to real opportunities. This includes job search workshops, resume and interview coaching, skills training, industry-specific courses, and supported work placements—tailored to your goals, your pace, and the type of work you want to move toward.
Your coach helps you find and secure a job that’s the right fit for your skills, goals, and life situation—not just any job. They’ll support you through applications, interviews, and the transition into work. Once you’re hired, we stay connected for up to a year to help you navigate challenges, build confidence, and continue moving forward. We are there to help you continue to build on your success.
Depending on your interests and goals, JPER connects participants with training and work experience in high-demand fields.
All participants earn required safety tickets, certifications, and relevant credentials as part of their training — at no cost.
You may be eligible for JPER if you:
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.
JPER provides personalized, step-by-step support to help you move toward employment in a way that works for your situation.
Depending on your needs, this may include:
Every part of the program is tailored to your goals and pace.
The program is designed as a guided process, not a one-time service.
It starts with a conversation to understand your situation and goals. From there, you’ll move through stages that may include stability and readiness support, skills development, and work experience.
When you’re ready, we help you connect with employers and support you through the hiring process—and continue supporting you after you start working.
Your experience will depend on where you’re starting, but most participants move through a few key stages.
You may begin by building stability and confidence through group sessions and one-on-one support. From there, you’ll work on skills like job searching, communication, and workplace expectations.
As you progress, you may take part in training, certifications, or supported work experience before moving into job placement.
You won’t be expected to do everything at once—we build your path step by step.
No. Many participants start by focusing on stability, confidence, and readiness before moving into job search or training.
We meet you where you are and help you take the next step—whatever that looks like for you.
JPER connects participants to opportunities in several high-demand fields, including:
Your path will depend on your interests, goals, and readiness.
Yes. Individuals who are on the Civida housing waitlist are eligible to participate in the program.
If you’re waiting for housing and want to start building skills, confidence, and a path toward employment, you can begin that process with JPER now.
We understand that childcare is one of the biggest barriers to getting back to work. You’re not expected to solve that on your own before joining.
We’ll work with you to explore flexible scheduling options within the program and connect you to childcare supports, subsidies, and community resources that can help make participation—and employment—more manageable.
JPER is a trauma-informed program, which means we understand that many people are navigating difficult circumstances.
Our team provides support in a respectful, non-judgmental way, and we work at a pace that makes sense for you. We can also connect you with mental health resources, counselling, and community supports so you’re not facing those challenges alone.
Yes. Transportation should not prevent you from accessing support.
JPER uses a mobile, district-based model, meaning we deliver services directly in Civida buildings and community hubs across Edmonton. We also offer hybrid and virtual options where appropriate, and we can help connect you to transit supports if needed.
This is an important question, and we’ll help you navigate it.
Our Employment Consultants will walk you through how employment may interact with your benefits and help you plan your next steps carefully. The goal is to ensure that moving toward work supports your financial stability—not puts it at risk.
Yes — to the extent possible. Your Employment Coach will work with you to identify pathways that match your goals, skills, and interests. Placement in a specific pathway may also depend on availability and readiness.
Yes. All certifications and safety tickets earned through JPER are industry-recognized and valid for real job applications in Edmonton and across Alberta.
Talk to us. Our coaches are experienced in job carving and customized pathways. If your goals don’t fit neatly into one of these categories, we will work with you to find an option that does.
Use the online intake form on this site, call us directly, or scan a QR code from a program flyer in your building. You can also walk in to one of our mobile service locations. There’s no wrong way to reach us.