I went to the YMCA office that administrate French Classes for New Immigrants on behalf of Federal Govt. The Canadian Govt funds the program.
I told the lady that I have no French at all. She said you need to book an appointment for an assessment. I told her that I do not speak any French and have all the necessary documents e.g. PR Card, Licence, Address to qualify for the program. She said she will check with the manager. I was then told that I could start on the program immediately by paying for it as it is conducted by another agency. After clarifying that this is not how new immigrants should be told, she agree to consult the Manager
After checking with the Manager, the front desk replied that manager insist that I come another day for the assessment as all the assessment slots in the afternoon are fully booked. She said I still need to be assessed for French before I can qualify for the program. I repeated that I am telling her that I zero French.
What amazed me was the level of wastage and inefficiency at the center. A simple taks of assessing that I have no french, was delayed by one week. I simply cannot believe that the the language assessment which is firstly totally unnecessary as i have no french at all, is fully booked for 1 week.
All I can postulate is that their inefficiency poor service quality is factored in by grants from government funds. I was there that afternoon and there was only one assessor but many managers and only three other persons coming for an assessment.
I think the government should have a watchdog agency to see whether their grants are administered and whether they are meted out according to some efficiency standards. I am beginning to loose faith in NGOs like YMCA.
This is my second encounter of poor quality service by YMCA