In honour of BC Disability Employment Month, we’re looking back at a few of our favourite success stories over the years featuring clients with diverse abilities who worked hard in the face of adversity to create opportunities and achieve inspiring results. No matter where you are on your employment journey – we’re here to help!
Chris – Who had worked as an electrician for 20 years when he suffered a massive stroke that severely impacted his physical abilities. No longer able to continue in his field, he came to WorkBC to seek new skills and a new line of work. Chris found meaningful seasonal employment and participated in the wage subsidy and assistive technology programs. Chris was accepted to Okanagan College, where he is learning new skills and building a bright future.
Eric – who suffered from short-term memory loss and anxiety, was able to access help with resume-building, self-marketing, and the wage subsidy program. He achieved full-time work as a baker – but more importantly, Eric continued to access WorkBC support throughout his first year of employment. Regular communication between Eric, his employment coordinator, and his employer identified an opportunity for him to move into a role that was even more suited to his strengths. Eric’s employer acknowledged his contribution by awarding him “Employee of the Month” around this time last year!
Dean – who required knee surgery that would make it impossible for him to return to his previous industry was able to access skills training that propelled him into a successful new career as a full-time Foreman for a local road maintenance contractor.
Every September, B.C. Disability Employment Month highlights the significant role people with disabilities play in B.C.’s workforce. During the month, employers can learn about resources to reduce barriers to inclusion. And people with disabilities can discover supportive services to help build their careers.
Between April 2022 and March 2023:
WorkBC supported over 4,600 people with disabilities through their first year of employment.
Community and Employer Partnerships projects provided more than $5 million in financial supports to over 620 participants with disabilities.
Resources for employers
An inclusive workplace is the foundation for a healthy work culture and engaged employees. Inclusion creates a sense of belonging, improves leadership skills and enhances collaboration.
Job seekers are determined to prove having a physical disability or neurological condition shouldn’t make them unemployable. WorkBC joins the province in celebrating September as Disability Employment Month. We could not be more proud to advocate for and support people with disabilities in their Career Journey!
To get a better sense of the job seekers’ work search experience we just love the inspired program called “Employable Me”. Check out an episode here:
The Knowledge Network is the host of this season’s newest inspired Job Seekers. They begin airing Wednesday night, Sept 13th!
Check it out here:
https://www.knowledge.ca/program/employable-me
If you, or someone you know, may be encouraged to explore their Employability Options come and see us at WorkBC, Princeton. Call, email, or drop in Today!
centre-princeton@workbc.ca
250-295-4051
206 Vermilion Ave, Princeotn BC
Why Hiring People with Disabilities Is Good For Business!!
By 2029 BC Employers will need to fill an estimated 861,000 job openings. BC has an “Untapped” labour pool of 614,630 of working aged British Columbians that currently have a disability.
Across BC this September the spotlight is being put on this valuable resource that is not only good for business, its just plain good. WorkBC services include customized employment services to create meaningful work as well as accessibility services providing access to any needed devices for working, and wage subsidies to open doors. If you are interested in partnering with WorkBC to provide access to work for persons with disabilities, you have access right in this community.
WorkBC is at the Princeton Skills Centre. Stop in, we’d love to see you. We are Rick Hansen Certified and our location is FULLY ACCESSIBLE!!
If you are an employer looking for help covering the cost of training for new or current employees, you should consider this grant.
The goal of the B.C. Employer Training Grant is to help British Columbians access the skills training needed to adapt to the changing requirements of jobs and the labour market while encouraging employer involvement in the training of their employees.
Employers are eligible to receive up to $300,000 per fiscal year (April 1 – March 31).
ELIGIBLE EMPLOYERS?
All private and non-profit employers operating in B.C.
Quick Train Canada education is fully funded, offered through select Canadian colleges, and comes in multi-week courses with options to learn virtually, in-person or both.
Micro credentials are accelerated training programs offered by post-secondary education institutions that are intended to help people retrain or upgrade their skills in a variety of sectors to aid in advancing their career or finding new employment. The micro credentials offered through Quick Train Canada will prepare you or your employer for success as most industry sectors shift to more sustainable practices.
Explore micro credential options by industry and register today.
Quick Train Canada courses are offered by accredited education partners at select Canadian colleges across the country. Choose the overall industry and course topics that fit where your job or business is going in the future, and prepare for tomorrow today.
AGRICULTURE & AGRI-FOOD
NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
TRANSPORTATION
CLEAN TECH
CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
BC Employer Training Grant: Everything You Need To Know
On June 27, we were joined by Sean Terrillon, Senior Policy and Program Manager of Employer Programs and Services, to explore every facet of the BC Employer Training Grant. Terrillon’s extensive knowledge and experience provided important insights into this funding opportunity, and empowered our members to navigate the grant application process with confidence and success.
What is the B.C. Employer Training Grant program?
What’s new? We’ve made some changes, including increased support for forest sector workers. Learn more.
The Province of British Columbia is committed to building a strong economy. A skilled workforce is essential for strong, sustainable and balanced growth. Building an agile and resilient workforce—one with the right mix of skills to respond to the evolving demands of the labour market—provides B.C. enterprises with a strategic competitive advantage for productivity and innovation.
For individual British Columbians, skills development increases participation in the labour market and provides a key to adapting to the changing world of work.
Receive up to $300,000 for Skills Training
The B.C. Employer Training Grant provides funding to small, medium and large enterprises to support skills training for their workforces, including prospective new hires.
The intent of this program is to help British Columbians access the skills training required to adapt to the labour market’s changing job requirements, while also encouraging employer involvement in skills training.
The Employer Training Grant helps employers pay for training, which in turn helps employees experience increased job security or move into better jobs.
Employers can apply as often as they need and receive 80 per cent of the cost of training up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum annual amount per employer of $300,000.
Create a Business BCeID account. This provides secure electronic access to online government services
Identify who needs training and pick a training provider
*Important: Please apply early to help ensure you receive a decision on your application before the training start date. Most applicants will receive a decision on their application in two weeks. Training may begin before an employer receives a decision. If training begins and the application is denied, the employer will be responsible for all costs.
Additional Details:
Training must result in increased job security or a better job* for a current employee** once training is completed, or a job for an unemployed person.
The Province will reimburse employers 80 per cent of eligible training costs. The employer must contribute the remaining 20 per cent.
Employers are eligible to receive up to $10,000 per participant and up to $300,000 per fiscal year (April 1 – March 31).
At the time of application, participants must be unemployed, or employed by the applicant employer.**
Employers must submit their application on their own behalf, using their Business BCeID. Third parties cannot apply on an employer’s behalf.
Participants must submit their own Participant Information Forms before an application can be submitted. Employers cannot submit these on an employee’s behalf.
If approved, employers (not participants) are to pay for all costs in full and, after training has started, submit a reimbursement claim within 30 days.
Employee participants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada). Temporary foreign workers, international students, or other temporary residents are ineligible.
Training cannot be longer than 52 weeks in length. Note that the ETG does not fund diploma or degree programs, in full or in part.
*A “better job” is defined as:
Increased pay
Promotion or advancement to another position
Move from part-time to full-time employment
Move from temporary/casual/seasonal employment to permanent employment
** For employers looking to hire workers that have been directly or indirectly impacted by a downturn in the forest sector, the ETG may support training for participants employed by another employer at the time of application.
Priority is given to first-time applicants, small businesses, and applicants from regions and industries experiencing the greatest challenges acquiring skilled workers. Learn more about B.C.’s labour market and industries.
