It’s no secret that BC’s robust economy has produced an employment climate that challenges even the best of companies to find and keep quality staff. Some welcome relief is on the horizon through a new employment program that could well assist employers struggling to keep the staff roster filled.
The BC Employment Program, announced by The Ministry of Employment and Income and to be implemented effective July 4, will help approximately 15,000 clients annually to find and keep employment. For employers this means some solutions to staffing while simultaneously providing opportunities for unique groups of workers to plant their feet in the workforce.
The program will replace two existing programs: the Job Placement Program and Training for Jobs. It will also include the employment components of the ministry’s existing Community Assistance Program.
Three service providers have been selected to deliver the programs that will include client job referral and placement along with individualized employability services and supports.
GT Hiring Solutions (2005) Inc. will manage service delivery in south Vancouver Island and North Vancouver Island, as well as the delivery of services specifically tailored to the needs of immigrants – such as English as a Second Language – in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. The company is renown in the BC tourism industry for providing front-line and management recruitment services through its Destinations and Landings programs.
WCG International will manage general service delivery in Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Prince George area, Interior BC as well as the northwest region. WCG is known for providing hiring solutions through Job Stores, Job Wave, Triumph, and Jobs Now. The company is the recipient of the 2005 HRMA Business Excellence Award and the Career Management Association's Award of Excellence for Leadership and Career Development.
The BC Society of Training for Health and Employment (THEO BC) will be responsible for managing specific services tailored to individuals facing mental health and drug and alcohol issues in Vancouver. THEO BC has been providing training, education, and job placement services for over 29 years for the mental health and disabled communities as well as to people in need of employment-related assistance or training.
The proponents were selected after an extensive year-long procurement process. This included consultation with clients, service providers and ministry staff on existing employment programming and the publication of an outside consultant’s evaluation of present programs.
