New Employment Program Means More Job Success

July 26 2006 - The new $35-million BC Employment Program has been successfully launched by the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance. This means 15,000 income assistance clients in British Columbia will have an even better chance of finding and keeping a job this year.

"We've taken a great employment program and made it even better," said Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond. "Now, for the first time, ministry service providers are working one-on-one with clients. Together they develop an individualized package of employment services and supports specifically designed to meet each person's unique needs and capabilities. I am confident this new, customized approach will allow more clients to benefit."

The new BC Employment Program replaces two existing programs - the Job Placement Program and Training for Jobs - and is managed by GT Hiring Solutions (2005) Inc., the BC Society of Training for Health and Employment (THEO BC) and WCG International Consultants Limited. As the ministry's prime service providers, these agencies offer services to clients through over 80 regionally based service providers operating in communities throughout British Columbia.

Clients receiving temporary assistance and who are expected to work benefit from services that are designed to meet their individual needs. These services range from very basic supports, like self-directed job searches and access to job banks and computers, to more intense supports such as short term certificate training and work experience. Clients will also receive help with costs for work related expenses, as needed.

Since 2001, the ministry's employment programs have directly helped almost 48,000 expected-to-work clients find good jobs and, as a result, the profile of the caseload has changed considerably. Clients who remain on income assistance today face greater challenges to employment, such as age, a long welfare history, limited work experience or personal problems.

The ministry's total investment in employment programs is approximately $70 million this year. This includes $35 million for the new BC Employment Program, $7.5 million for the Community Assistance Program, more than $20 million for the specialized Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities, $4 million for the Bridging Employment Program and $5 million for the Community Volunteer Supplement Program.

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