• Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Careers
  • Who We Are
    • Our Board
    • Our Staff
    • Governance and Accountability
    • Annual Reports and Financial Statements
  • Who We Serve
  • News
  • Learning
Community Futures North Okanagan
  • Home
  • Business Services
    • Starting Your Business
      • Self Employment
      • Buying a Business
      • Business Coaching
      • Planning Tools
      • Business Loans
    • Growing Your Business
      • Employer Support
      • Business Coaching
      • Succession Planning
      • Supports, Funding, Grants
      • Momentum
      • Business Exchange
      • Export Navigator
      • Continuity Planning
      • Business Loans
    • Loans
      • Loans Application
      • Business Loans
      • Micro Loans
      • 4-H Loans
    • Workshops
      • Workshop Calendar
  • Programs
    • Self Employment
    • Employ for Youth
    • Momentum
    • Business Exchange
    • Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
    • Export Navigator
    • Enterprize Challenge
    • Reach
    • SharED
    • WorkBC
    • Inclusive Hiring Hub
    • RNIP – Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot
    • Newcomers Loan
  • Employment Services
    • WorkBC
    • Employ for Youth
  • Contact
  • Menu Menu

Grooming a Future: Employ! Helps Animal Lover Land Dream Job

August 21, 2019/in Success Story

The clippers buzz as the large tomcat lifts his paw to get his thick undercoat trimmed. Toffee-coloured fur piles up on the linoleum, as Cassie Martel watches for any sign of escape. The cat purrs as the razor gently caresses his belly.

“That’s going to feel so much better, especially in this heat,” says Cam Albert, Cassie’s employer and owner of Wet Spot Grooming and Pet Care, where Cassie has been working since March.

 “I have four cats of my own, and I grew up with dogs. It was always my dream job to work with animals,” says Cassie.

For the Love of Kids and Animals

In the past, Cassie says she experienced challenges in finding and retaining work. She attended college to upgrade her math and get her Grade 12 equivalency but knew she wanted more. That’s when she decided to enter Employ!, a 10-week youth employment program that helps youth find and maintain work.

“I first entered the program more than two years ago, and I ended up working in the fast-food industry. I knew I wanted to do something different, so I re-entered the program this year, and it has helped me so much,” says Cassie. “I used to hold back in the past. I love kids and animals, but I struggled with shyness. Now I am working in an environment where I feel comfortable and where I feel I can contribute.”

“I used to hold back in the past. I love kids and animals, but I struggled with shyness. Now I am working in an environment where I feel comfortable and where I feel I can contribute.”

Cassie Martel

During EMPLOY! participants take part in valuable workshops such as resume building and interview and communication skills development. They can also receive certificates in First Aid, Customer Service, and Essential Computer Skills, all the while working with a Job Coach to find the best fit for their skills.

“All participants are supported in finding and maintaining employment. In Cassie’s case, she was interested in working with animals, so we contacted Cam and her partner Andrew Davis at Wet Spot to see if they might have a part-time employment opportunity for Cassie,” says Angela Bushey, Employ! Job Coach.

Learning to Be a Better Employer

Cam says Cassie came to them at the right time, as she and Andrew were looking to hire someone but didn’t know where to start. Concerned they couldn’t afford to train someone, having just bought into the business late last year, they were relieved to discover that employers who hire Employ! participants can also receive a reimbursement for up to 120 hours, which helps to mitigate the training costs.

“It was such a helpful experience for both Cassie and me, as I had never been a manager before. It taught me to be a better employer,” says Cam.

Cam and Cassie worked together on making task lists and schedules that worked for both of them.

“When she first came here she was super shy, but she came out of her shell and took direction well,” says Cam. “People think this is an easy job to do, but you need to be persistent, confident, and assertive, as people can be protective of their pets. You need good customer relations skills in this industry.”

Paws Forward

Now working part-time at Wet Spot since March, Cassie has not only developed a close relationship with all the customers —both human and animal — she has become a member of the family and even looks after Cam and Andrew’s daughter Lilly on occasion.

“I love it here,” says Cassie, who continues to receive ongoing support from her Employ! Job Coaches. “I am going to get my First Aid for children and animals and want to continue upgrading my computer skills. I am excited about what the future has in store.”

Are you or someone you know a youth looking for opportunities to improve employability skills and receive paid training?  The next intake of Employ! starts Oct. 15, 2019. Contact Angie at 250-545-2215 ext. 215 to learn more.

https://www.futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Wet-Spot.jpg 671 1000 Kazia Mullin https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png Kazia Mullin2019-08-21 11:42:262019-08-21 11:42:26Grooming a Future: Employ! Helps Animal Lover Land Dream Job

Pages

  • Apply To This Year’s Enterprize Challenge
  • Business Loan Application
  • Directions Application
  • Enterprize Challenge 2022 Final Pitch and Awards Program
  • Event Submission
  • Home
  • Momentum Application
  • Privacy Policy
  • Reach Application
  • Self Employment Program Application
  • Thank your applying!
  • Volunteer Application
  • Our Staff
  • Bridges Application Form
  • Bridges Application
  • Our Board
  • Who We Serve
  • Our Mission
  • Governance and Accountability
  • Annual Reports and Financial Statements
  • News
  • Self Employment
  • Buying a New Business
  • Business Coaching
  • Planning Tools
  • Employer Support
  • Succession Planning
  • Supports, Funding, Grants
  • Business Loans
  • Micro Loans
  • Newcomers Loan
  • 4-H Loans
  • Small Business Week 2022
  • Workshop Calendar
  • Employ for Youth
  • Momentum
  • Business Exchange
  • Continuity Planning
  • Reach
  • Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
  • Export Navigator
  • Enterprize Challenge
  • SharED
  • RNIP – Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot
  • Contact
  • Past Projects
  • Careers
  • Partners
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Categories

  • News
  • Success Story
  • Uncategorized

Archive

  • January 2023
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • July 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • August 2015
  • May 2015
  • December 2014

About Community Futures

From our office in downtown Vernon, Community Futures North Okanagan offers employment, business and economic development services to help residents build their future and the community. We service Armstrong, Coldstream, Enderby, Grindrod, Lavington, Lumby, Mara, Okanagan Indian Band,  Spallumcheen, Splatsin and Vernon.

Careers Volunteer Partners Privacy Policy Issue Resolution Services en Français
Government of BC logo

© Copyright - Community Futures North Okanagan | Developed by Tambellini Design Studios
  • Terms and Conditions
Scroll to top
Open toolbar Accessibility Tools

Accessibility Tools

  • Increase TextIncrease Text
  • Decrease TextDecrease Text
  • GrayscaleGrayscale
  • High ContrastHigh Contrast
  • Negative ContrastNegative Contrast
  • Light BackgroundLight Background
  • Links UnderlineLinks Underline
  • Reset Reset