About the Centre
News/Media

For Immediate Release

April 27, 2007

The Centre puts clients first
Training centre's growth linked to outstanding customer service

Burlington, ON - When The Centre for Skills Development & Training (The Centre) moved into its new facility, known as Bay Area Learning Centre, at 860 Harrington Court in 2003, staff felt the new location would help serve their clients more effectively. What they hadn’t anticipated was the phenomenal growth that would occur over the next several years.

Kathy Mills, Chief Administrative Officer of The Centre says, “Locating to the Bay Area Learning Centre made all the difference in helping us meet the changing and expanding training needs of our community.”

As an incorporated affiliate of the Halton District School Board, The Centre provides employment training programs in the areas of Career and Employment Services, Skilled Trades and English as a Second Language Training and Corporate Development Services.

In the new location, The Centre is able to provide more programs and services; a walk-in Employment Resource Centre with certified career specialists to assist job seekers in finding work; large workshops for construction, electrical and machining pre-apprenticeship courses; and meeting rooms for corporate and community clients’ needs.

The Bay Area Learning Centre also allows The Centre to partner with organizations with complementary goals and services, handily co-located to offer one-stop shopping for clients. A few of these partners include the Halton Multicultural Council, the March of Dimes and Charles Sturt University.

“We’ve increased the number of people served by over 70% in the last year,” says Wayne Joudrie, President of The Centre and Director of the Halton District School Board. “That kind of growth is only due to a staff that’s committed to helping people succeed.”

This customer service philosophy comes across every year in every program. Each year, at a Celebrating Success event, clients and students share their stories about how The Centre made a difference in their lives.

As a nominee in the Service Category for the Burlington Chamber of Commerce 2006 Business Awards, The Centre believes its client-centred focus has brought success in a short time and will ensure their continued growth in the future.

For more information about The Centre and its wide range of corporate and individual training services, call 905-333-3499 or visit www.thecentre.on.ca.

The Centre for Skills Development & Training is a leading provider of quality career and workforce development programs, products and services specializing in Pre-Apprenticeship Trades and Technology, Career Planning and Development and Language Skills and Academic Upgrading.