{"id":57164,"date":"2023-12-13T22:18:11","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T22:18:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/supportedemployment.ca\/?p=57164"},"modified":"2023-12-13T23:07:16","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T23:07:16","slug":"member-spotlight-premier-personnel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/member-spotlight-premier-personnel\/","title":{"rendered":"Sur le devant de la sc\u00e8ne : Premier Personnel"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Sur le devant de la sc\u00e8ne : Premier Personnel<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Setting a New Standard: 40 Years of Impact with Premier Personnel\u202f <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

This month, we had the privilege of connecting with an organization that has been making a profound impact in the field of supported employment. For the last four decades Premier Personnel has been a pioneering force in the world of supported employment and has played a pivotal role in reshaping what it means to be inclusive.<\/p>

As we celebrate their 40 years of remarkable service, we are touched by the inspiring stories that exemplify their commitment and their groundbreaking initiatives that have influenced the trajectory of supported employment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Join us in this exploration of Premier Personnel ‘s legacy and their vision for the future.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Logo:\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Pioneering Change: The Evolution of Supported Employment at Premier Personnel <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

How has supported employment evolved over the past four decades, and what pivotal moments have shaped your organization’s journey?\u202f<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

There have been significant changes over the past 40 years. When Premier Personnel began operations, we were primarily providing supports to individuals with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities that were all going to a segregated school and whose only option, post-school, was to go to a sheltered workshop where they were paid a weekly stipend for their efforts. Due to the efforts of parents, teachers, and provincial advocates, they recognized there needed to be a better option for these individuals.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Premier was the first strictly community-based supported employment agency in Western Canada and, from the beginning, focused on opportunities that paid minimum wage or better in non-sheltered settings. Forty years later and school systems have completely changed, so all the people we work with have gone through school in integrated settings and have vastly different expectations of what they want to do on their employment journey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Our client group is far less homogenous than when we began; people have various types of developmental or learning disabilities that ultimately means a far greater range of skill sets and educational backgrounds. We now assist people with a far greater range of work skills and career expectations.\u00a0<\/p>

There are also far more community options available for people that they can choose from, so we need to ensure that our agency provides the kind of personalized supports that allow people to be successful in the workplace.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Our client group is far less homogenous than when we began; people have various types of developmental or learning disabilities that ultimately means a far greater range of skill sets and educational backgrounds. We now assist people with a far greater range of work skills and career expectations. <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

More than Just a Job: A Story of Belonging and Acceptance <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Over 40 years, you must have worked with countless individuals. Can you share a particularly inspiring or heartwarming success story that stands out to you?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

One of my best stories for how valuable and impactful supported employment can be for people who use our services would be a story shared with me a couple of years ago, about an individual we support. This person works in a hotel restaurant as a dishwasher and has been there for several years now.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

We were speaking with the Chef to see how things were going for her. He told us how he had decided to give her Christmas Day off as she had worked the last few. She then approached him to ask why she hadn’t been scheduled for that Christmas and he had explained to her that he wanted to give her a break that year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

She asked if she could still work (on Christmas Day); for her, the kitchen staff were the people she enjoyed being with most, and she wanted to be able to spend Christmas with them. So, he put her back on the schedule. To me, this story shows the importance of being included, valued, and accepted.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Bridging the Labour Gap: Premier Personnel\u2019s Inclusive Approach <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In what ways has Premier Personnel engaged with local businesses and employers to create inclusive workplaces and increased employment opportunities for individuals experiencing disability?\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

I would say that employers are becoming far more aware of the value of hiring inclusively, so the types of conversations that take place now are considerably different than what they were 40 years ago. The way we promote the people we support has become far more about the business case and the positives that they can bring to the workplace, rather than trying to overcome disability stereotypes.<\/p>

Employers seem more willing to engage, and there is a demand for labour pools that haven’t traditionally been tapped into. It gives me hope that progress is being made and that there is some momentum towards people with disabilities being able to be more significantly represented in the workforce.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Collaborative Connections\u202f <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Can you tell us about any collaborations or partnerships that have been instrumental in your organization’s success and in advancing the supported employment field?\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Premier Personnel has always believed that Supported Employment is an idea that needs everyone to pull together to work best. As such, we have always believed collaboration between agencies is really important to make sure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to find employment.  <\/p>\n

We have been a significant contributor to the Manitoba Supported Employment Network (MSEN), helping advocate to the province, exchanging best practices, and engaging in multiple awareness campaigns through the years. One of the awareness campaigns that I am most proud of is the Take Your MLA to Work Day, a non-partisan, multiagency MSEN effort to engage with and educate legislators about Supported Employment throughout the province.  <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Premier Personnel has always believed that Supported Employment is an idea that needs everyone to pull together to work best. As such, we have always believed collaboration between agencies is really important to make sure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to find employment. <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The MLA receives an invitation from people we have supported to visit them at their workplace where they can engage with both the individual and their employers to see the true impact that they make in their jobs. These visits then get shared via social media so that as many people as possible hear their stories.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

We also have connected at a national level with CASE and have used training resources and attended conferences to learn as much as possible about new best practices to ensure our services stay current.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Progress in Motion <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

As you reflect on 40 years of service, what are some key lessons or insights you’ve gained that could benefit other organizations in the disability service sector?\u202f<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

I think the most important lesson we’ve learned is that change is inevitable, and leaning into it rather than resisting is a good thing. We’ve had to regularly revisit what good, supported employment services look like to make sure that we are making the changes necessary for people to feel supported and listened to.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Looking ahead, what are Premier Personnel’s goals and aspirations for the future, and how do you envision the landscape of supported employment evolving in the years to come?\u202f<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Premier Personnel hopes to continue finding ways to adapt to the needs of people we work with and making sure that we are able to help people continue to find jobs that are a good match for them in a rapidly changing job market. We hope that employers start to view hiring people with disabilities in the same way that they do any other group and that supported employment services will be viewed like other employment agencies, as an ongoing desirable option from which employers know they can find reliable employees.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>

Premier Personnel ‘s remarkable journey over the last four decades has not only reshaped the landscape of supported employment in their community but has played a pivotal role in transforming the attitudes and practices of local businesses and employers. Through emphasizing the business case for inclusivity and highlighting the numerous strengths that individuals with disabilities bring to the workplace, Premier Personnel has paved the way for a more inclusive workforce.\u00a0<\/p>

The organization’s dedication to bridging the gap between job seekers and employers inspires hope for a future where individuals experiencing disabilities are more significantly represented in the workforce. Premier Personnel ‘s 40-year commitment to promoting inclusivity and increasing employment opportunities is a beacon of perseverance, reminding us that a more inclusive and diverse workforce benefits everyone!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Premier\u2019s Executive Director, Ernie Thiessen, for sharing a glimpse into the world of Premier Personnel!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

To learn more about being highlighted in a future CASE Member Spotlight, contact:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Nicole – CASE Member Engagement Coordinator<\/p>

nicole@supportedemployment.ca\u202f<\/a>
<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Member Spotlight: Premier Personnel Setting a New Standard: 40 Years of Impact with Premier Personnel\u202f This month, we had the privilege of connecting with an organization that has been making […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":269,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[46,50,338,327,75,44],"class_list":["post-57164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-accessibility","tag-disability","tag-employment","tag-inclusive","tag-manitoba","tag-supported-employment"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/269"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57164\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}