This week I had the privilege of participating with an amazing group of people on a project to improve our community.  One step at a time.

The collaboration includes COIN, NCC, Nothern Lights, GPA EDC and of course, CURO!

Have you heard of Shifting Gears Skills Link?  I hadn’t either until I ran into Michael VanDerHerberg while he was out for an afternoon stroll his adorable son.  Michael was looking for placement opportunities for clients of The New Canadian Centre.  His clients were engaged in a 3-week training program with COIN and were seeking 10-week job placements.

As a start-up company, still working from my home-office in Bailieboro, I wasn’t sure it was a good fit, but agreed to participate in the process.  After meeting with two potential candidates, I was committed to giving someone a chance to prove they can fit into the Canadian work environment.  Unfortunately, my home office does not provide an ideal work environment for a new employee.  That’s how GPA EDC got involved.

As an existing client of CURO, I asked Dan Taylor, President and CEO of GPA EDC, if he would allow me to use one of his offices on Wolfe Street for this 10-week period.  It didn’t take much convincing for Dan to  support this initiative.  Dan is all about supporting and growing the Creative Economy – those who are paid to think, as he puts it.  Guess what?  Accounting professionals are paid to think!  Accounting professionals are part of the Creative Economy!

And so the collaboration begins.  Roshan begins her 10-week placement on Monday, April 16 thanks to a great team of people who are each dedicated to improving our community in their own way.

Welcome to CURO, Roshan and welcome to an example of great Peterborough collaboration.