Bella Coola is 1 of 24 B.C. communities that will have a new WorkBC Centre as of April 1, 2019.
Announcing a number of improvements to WorkBC, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Shane Simpson said many people trying to find work face barriers to opportunity.
“That’s why we are refocusing WorkBC on delivering results for people,” he said in a news release Wednesday.
“Improving accessibility and moving to more personalized supports will make it easier for more people to find good, stable jobs so they can provide for themselves and their families.”
Horton Ventures Inc. that provides employment supports and services through WorkBC Centres in 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, and Quesnel will serve as the contractor for the Bella Coola WorkBC Centre.
In an email to MyCaribooNow, the Ministry said WorkBC service providers in Nanaimo, Chilliwack and Coquitlam will consolidate locations from two centres to one. Victoria will move from three centres to two.
The WorkBC Centre in Whistler will close on March 31, 2019, and people will be able to access services in Squamish.
Other service improvements to WorkBC include:
- moving to an outcome-based funding model that makes people’s success in the job market a priority for service providers
- extending eligibility for specialized WorkBC services to anyone who has paid into employment insurance (EI) for five of the last 10 years and removing EI eligibility barriers
- helping people find a better job if their hours are unstable, or if the work is not in line with their skills
- providing an additional $9 million in direct supports like skills training and helping people access tools so they can pursue a career in the trades; and
- improving services in rural communities by consolidating administrative catchment areas and freeing up funding for direct supports for people and more WorkBC centres.
The Ministry said two WorkBC programs will also be offered for people no matter where they live.
The Neil Squire Society will deliver assistive technology services to open up employment opportunities for people with disabilities while the Douglas College will deliver apprentice services such as processing financial support applications and help for apprentices to collect employment insurance benefits while in school.