A new employment centre is now open in Bracebridge to offer assistance and support to local residents in need of a job.

The facility, Employment Supports and Services, is located at 205 Manitoba St., in the former TD Canada Trust building. It had its grand opening Monday.

The office is being operated by the District of Muskoka as a means of addressing unemployment issues across the region.

According to staff, the centre will help residents both prepare for and maintain employment. In addition to liaising with potential employers, employment centre staff will help clients acquire helpful training including Smart Serve, WHMIS and other occupational health and safety accreditations.

“This office is . . . reflective of our work in dealing with two issues,” said Rick Williams, Muskoka’s commissioner of community services. “How to make (social) services more accommodating . . . and then how to have those services focus more on employment.”

According to recent statistics, the District of Muskoka has seen a surge in its social assistance caseload over the past several years. From December 2004 to January 2007 alone, Ontario Works cases grew in Muskoka by almost 30 per cent, or more than seven times the provincial average.

The new employment centre is hoped to combat these numbers by moving more residents toward permanent, full-time employment.

“We’re seeing a lot of success stories,” said district chair Gord Adams, who was on hand this week for the facility’s ribbon cutting. “Nothing breeds more self-esteem than having a job and being productive. This (centre) is good for the community, good for society and good for Muskoka.”

According to Williams, the district has signed a five-year lease for the office space and plans to make portions of it available to local organizations that assist with training and employment.

Currently, YWCA Muskoka uses part of the office for its Women in Business training program.