Sechelt Monday, December 9, 2019 12:15 PM
New programs throughout the province will support British Columbians who face multiple barriers to employment to build the skills they need to embark on new careers.
“Skills training and employment supports for people who face multiple barriers to employment help build a more diverse workforce, accessing the untapped potential in people while making sure no one is left behind,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “By breaking down barriers to employment for those who need it most, we’re lifting up British Columbians so everyone can be part of building the best B.C.”
Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast, announced $10 million a year to support more than 1,100 people a year throughout the province. Simons made the announcement on Mark’s behalf during a visit to Open Door Social Services Society (Open Door Group) in Sechelt. The society is one of 26 service providers and post-secondary institutions throughout the province offering locally designed programs over two years.
“Through partnerships with organizations and post-secondary institutions, we’re creating positive learning environments that will lead to better opportunities for all British Columbians,” said Simons. “I’m pleased that people on the Sunshine Coast will be among those to benefit with training and employment supports provided by Open Door Social Services Society.”
Over two years, Open Door Group will receive $548,217 to provide Jobs in Demand training to 90 people in Sechelt and $619,529 to train 100 people in Kamloops. The program provides training toward occupational certificates in industries including hospitality and tourism, social services, the trades and security. Supports can include job placements, coaching, components to support Indigenous learners and cultural awareness, and disability supports, as well as financial supports including child care, transportation, work gear and training allowances.
“Programs like Jobs in Demand provide the supports and environment so people who face barriers can get the skills they need to succeed,” said Alona Puehse, chief strategy officer, Open Door Group. “When everyone can be meaningful participants in our economy, everyone benefits, including local businesses who are seeking skilled workers.”
Throughout B.C., training programs will also support those who face homelessness, mental health challenges and addiction recovery, or who have been incarcerated.
Skills training will prepare participants to work in a variety of industries, ranging from tourism and construction to recreation and hair styling. Employment supports may include counselling, mentoring, child care, transportation, work experience, wage subsidies and equipment, as well as disability and language supports.
Quick Facts:
- Skills Training for Employment (STE) – Individuals facing Multiple Barriers is one of five STE programs.
- STE programs are funded through the Canada-B.C. Workforce Development Agreement (WDA).
- Signed in 2018, the WDA provides $685 million over six years and flexibility to design and deliver locally driven, responsive and inclusive labour-market programming for British Columbians.
- The 2018 Labour Market Outlook projected approximately 900,000 job openings throughout B.C. between now and 2028, with 77% of those jobs requiring some level of post-secondary education or training.
Learn More:
Work BC – jobs, education and career information: https://www.workbc.ca/
Skills training for employment programs: www.workbc.ca/skillstraining-employment
Open Door Group: https://www.opendoorgroup.org/
Jobs in Demand: https://www.opendoorgroup.org/programs/jid/
A backgrounder follows.
Programs open employment doors
Twenty-six service providers throughout British Columbia will help people who face multiple barriers to employment get the skills they need to find work, through the Skills Training for Employment: Individuals Facing Multiple Barriers program. Total funding of $10 million a year is provided through the Canada-B.C. Workforce Development Agreement (WDA).
Multiple Regions:
- College of New Caledonia – $881,811 to help 72 participants over two years with Job Options in Mackenzie, McLeod Lake, Burns Lake, Fort St. James, Tsay Keh Dene and Kwadacha
- Horton Ventures Inc. – $950,164 to help 70 people over two years with Pathways to Employment in Williams Lake, Quesnel and 100 Mile House, and $979,846 to help 70 people in Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson and Fort St. John
- Kopar Administration Ltd. – $998,634 to help 85 participants over two years with Skills Highway in Prince George, Valemount, Kitimat, Prince Rupert and Smithers
- Open Door Social Services Society – $548,217 to help 90 participants over two years with the Jobs in Demand program in Sechelt, and $619,529 to help 100 participants in Kamloops
- Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society – $1,024,333 to help 160 people over two years with Workplace Integration for Multi-Barriered Individuals in Surrey and Vancouver, and in the Thompson-Okanagan region by teleconferencing
- Workforce Development Consulting Services – $619,041 to help 70 people over two years with the Work Connect Program in Prince George, Valemount/McBride, Mackenzie, Fort St. John, Prince Rupert, Smithers and Terrace
Cariboo Region:
- College of New Caledonia – $496,741 to help 34 people over two years with Reintegration Industry Readiness Training Program in Prince George
- See multiple regions – College of New Caledonia, Horton Ventures Inc., Kopar Administration, Workforce Development Consulting Services
Kootenay Region:
- Kootenay Career Development Society – $769,139 to help 85 people over two years with the Retail, Accommodation, Food Service and Tourism Program in Castlegar, Nelson and Trail
- Kootenay Career Development Society – $452,239 to help 37 people over two years with West K Tech in Castlegar, Nelson and Trail
Mainland/Southwest Region:
- Zero Ceiling Society of Canada – $291,200 to help 48 people over two years with Work 2 Live in Whistler
- Back in Motion Rehab Inc. – $1,596,544 to help 200 people over two years with Skills for Life and Work in Richmond, Surrey and Vancouver
- DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society – $878,698 to help 66 people over two years with the Substance Abuse Health and Recovery Awareness Program in Surrey
- Pacific Community Resources – $677,160 to help 96 people over two years with Chilliwack Job Options in Chilliwack
- The YMCA of Greater Vancouver – $788,655 to help 96 people over two years with Youth Breakthrough to Employment and Training in Chilliwack
- Eastside Movement for Business and Economic Renewal Society – $1,212,163 to help 300 people over two years with the Learn and Earn Program in Vancouver, Abbotsford and Surrey
- See multiple regions – Open Door Social Services Society, Progressive Intercultural Community Services
North Coast/Nechako Region:
- Kopar Administration Ltd. – $523,735 to help 50 people over two years with Work Keys in Smithers
- See multiple regions – College of New Caledonia, Kopar Administration Ltd., Workforce Development Consulting Services
Northeast Region:
- Dawson Creek Catholic School Services Society – $528,400 to help 72 people over two years with the Skills Training for Employment Program for Multi-Barriered Individuals in Dawson Creek
- Obair Economic Society – $874,493 to help 96 people over two years with Elevation to Employment in Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge
- See multiple regions – College of New Caledonia, Horton Ventures Inc., Workforce Development Consulting Services
Thompson-Okanagan Region:
- Kelowna Community Resources – $644,910 to help 80 people over two years with STEPs to Training for Success in Kelowna
- NexusBC Community Resource Centre – $475,190 to help 50 people over two years with Hire Ability in Vernon and Enderby
- Partners in Resources Inc. – $528,000 to help 66 people over two years with the Fresh START (Skills Training and Readiness Training) for Employment Program in Penticton, Summerland and Okanagan Falls
- See multiple regions – Open Door Social Services Society, Progressive Intercultural Community Services
Vancouver Island/Coast Region:
- ETHOS Career Management Group Ltd. – $991,572 to help 84 people with Qmunity Works in Nanaimo
- INEO Employment Counselling Inc. – $356,399 to help 30 people with Developing Unique Abilities for Labour-Market Attachment in Port Alberni
- Port Alberni Friendship Centre – $681,878 to help 40 people with Steps to Success in Port Alberni
- Vancouver Island Vocational and Rehabilitation Services Society (VIVRS) – $588,750 to help 56 people with STEP IN (VIVRS Skills Towards Employment Program) in Courtenay
This on BC Govt Website go to the link here
