Program leads to solid jobs

Light Warehouse Training students like Yuli Zhang get the chance to pick up handy skills, including Forklift Operators Certification.  

The Light Warehouse Training (LWT) Program at Douglas College was a crucial step for a new Canadian in getting his first job in Canada.

"I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work in a warehouse without it because I didn’t have any relevant experience prior to that," says Yuli Zhang.

In fact, Zhang was offered a position in logistics services at VersaCold before he completed the LWT Program.

"The course was very useful in finding a job. I learned how a warehouse runs and how to work safely," says Zhang, who found out about the LWT Program while taking Career Builder Plus (CBP) through The Training Group at Douglas. CBP students explore their employable skills and the job market with the support of career consultants.

Zhang began the LWT Program last June, about one year after moving to Canada from China. The program is 15 weeks long and focuses on giving students the skills necessary to get and keep work in the warehousing field.

The program attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds. It is designed to help people with barriers to employment, which may include a lack of recent work experience, low literacy, disability or self-esteem issues. Most importantly, all have a desire to find work. “If you want a job, you will get one after taking this program,” says instructor Chris Gibson.

Students have the opportunity to obtain Forklift Operators Certification, Occupational First Aid Level One, and certification in WHMIS, Occupational Health and Safety, SuperHost and Transportation of Dangerous Goods. Gibson notes that a driver’s license is not needed to get forklift training or certification.

Training is provided mainly in the classroom and covers shipping and receiving procedures, inventory maintenance, order picking, employability skills, communication and telephone skills, and interviewing techniques.

A short work experience is also part of the course. Students have the opportunity to work in a distribution centre, warehouse or other related setting so they can practice the skills and knowledge they have gained.

The program starts every January and September and is offered at the David Lam Campus in Coquitlam. For more information, please call Chris Gibson at 604-777-6063.

Links:

Information Sessions
Light Warehouse Training
Career Builder Plus
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