On June 18, 2013, the Provincial Networking Group Inc (PNGI), held an awards ceremony and lunch at the Skeena Valley Golf Course.
PNGI is a private organization which has helped 50 individuals with disabilities find 43 jobs during the last four years.
“Last year we actually exceeded our employment targets by 22 per cent,” said Chris Arnold, clinical director with PNGI.
PNGI works to create individualized paid jobs for working aged people in the community of Terrace who are diagnosed with a disability.
Instead of employees applying to specific job positions posted, PNGI works with the individuals to create work proposals. These positions are typically short-term and for very specific tasks.
Organizations have found that these job placements have proved to be beyond beneficial, and often request employees to return after their work placement has finished.
Arnold emphasized PNGI's success saying the organization has had “great reception from local employers.”
Tuesday's awards ceremony was to recognize both the employers who have supported individuals in the program, as well as the employees themselves, specifically the long term employees.
A highlight of the awards ceremony was the recognition of Mark Bain, a long time employee with PNGI. For the majority of the past 17 years, Bain has worked in the confidential paper shredding service department.
Additionally, Jennifer Ansems was recognized twice for her long term employment for working the last 10 years at Tim Hortons and the past 13 years at Scotiabank.
Employee awards included a pin, and certificate stating the number of years they have been employed.
A handful of Terrace employers were recognized, including J&F Distributors, Boston Pizza, My Fitness Centre, Totem Ford, Walmart, Safeway, Premium Truck & Trailer, The Brick, Northern Savings, Chill, Blackstone's, and Father Terry.
My Fitness Centre was recognized with the Cool Accommodation Award, for their commitment to employing an individual who lived out of town with a car. The individual's hours were arranged around the bus schedule, as well as carpooling with another employee on Sundays' when the bus doesn't run.