IBM Donates Valuable Job-Training Tools to Employment Action
TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2007 — Employment Action, one of Ontario’s most effective vocational counselling and training programs for people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs), has revitalized its computer lab with a $20,000 donation from IBM.
“In Toronto’s fast-paced information economy, our clients need strong computer skills to catch the attention of prospective employers,” says Don Phaneuf, one of Employment Action’s job consultants. “IBM’s generosity will give our clients the opportunity to learn valuable job skills on the most up-to-date hardware and software available.”
Run by the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), Employment Action works with PHAs to help them re-enter the workforce after periods of long-term disability. IBM’s donation of new technology equipment, including new state-of-the-art desktop computers, LCD monitors and ThinkpadsTM will serve as an important tool for Employment Action’s team of volunteer instructors. Every year they devote over 600 hours of their time to training clients in Excel, Microsoft Word, English-as-a-Second-Language software, Powerpoint, security and networking, and more.
“IBM’s donation is a continuation of our commitment to Employee Action, which began back in 2004,” says Richard Branston, of IBM. “IBM employees also believe in supporting our communities, and have contributed hundreds in volunteer hours and have donated more than $66,000 since 1990 to the AIDS Committee of Toronto.”
Currently, there are over 14,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto. Many PHAs face long-term health issues and social isolation caused by the stigma still associated with AIDS. Returning to work can be an important first step towards re-establishing a sense of stability in their lives.
“In 2006, Employment Action graduated 30 clients from our Advanced Computer Skills class and placed a total of 46 in full-time paid employment,” say Phaneuf. “With IBM’s help, I fully expect we’ll surpass these numbers in the coming years.”
For more information about Employment Action, or to attend for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, contact Don Phaneuf at 416-340-8484 ext. 262. For information about IBM and its Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs programs, contact Mike Boden at 416-478-7117 or mboden@ca.ibm.com.
