The Employment Services Centre of Prescott-Russell (CSEPR) has received $50,000 in provincial funding to help job seekers develop information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI) skills. The Ontario government announced the funding on Tuesday, October 13, under its Francophone Community Grants Program.
CSEPR Executive Director Caroline Arcand said the initiative will focus on people facing barriers to entering the workforce, offering basic IT training followed by instruction on using AI tools for job searches and career development.
“Employers tell us that knowledge in information technology is an absolute must now,” Arcand said.
She added that the project will allow CSEPR to dedicate staff resources to developing training content tailored to participants’ needs and supporting them as they pursue employment opportunities in the region.
“What is important is to demonstrate the need for a program or project. We want to bring these people not only to the starting line, but further down the track of a race toward a job,” Arcand said.
CSEPR Board President Carl Portelance estimated that about 60 people could benefit from the initiative, which will be delivered in collaboration with Centre Moi J’Apprends. Portelance described the grant as more than a financial contribution, calling it “an engine of inclusion” for the region’s Francophone community.
He said rural communities face particular challenges accessing programs that may be more readily available in larger urban centres. The training will help participants understand how to use technology and AI to position themselves in the labour market, he said, improving their prospects with employers as technology continues to change the workplace.
Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre also welcomed the funding, saying grants are essential for organizations working to support their communities.
Glengarry-Prescott-Russell Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Stéphane Sarrazin said the grant forms part of a broader provincial investment of $3 million supporting 75 projects across Ontario in 2026-2027. The Francophone Community Grants Program received a record 221 applications this year, he said.
Sarrazin emphasized the importance of supporting Francophone organizations and strengthening services in French.
“The vitality of our Francophone community rests on our capacity to support these organizations, to strengthen services in French, and to offer future generations the opportunity to study, work, and build their future in our communities,” Sarrazin said.
Arcand said the initiative could have an impact beyond the grant period, with the training content developed through the project potentially supporting job seekers in the region over the longer term.
