A new, powerful job-search tool is now available to make it easier for British Columbians to find jobs, making the WorkBC website an even more valuable resource for those searching for work in our province, announced Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell while touring a WorkBC Employment Services Centre in Victoria.

B.C. is a leader in using new job-search capabilities that provide job seekers with a single portal to access job postings that are available within the provincial public service, posted directly to WorkBC by employers, and those externally imported from other job boards like Workopolis, Monster and company sites.

In addition, jobs that are also posted to the Service Canada Job Bank are available from this new site. This makes searching for jobs that much easier for job seekers, who can now access all postings through one central search tool.

WorkBC is a one-stop website that empowers users to do more than find jobs - it features interactive tools for users, they can explore careers and industry profiles, research labour and economic trends, access programs and benefits, and learn more about skills, training and funding available. It is a key customer-service deliverable under 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan'.

The WorkBC web project was funded through the Canada - British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.

Quotes:

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation -

"As part of the BC Jobs Plan, we are working hard to ensure that British Columbians have the skills and jobs they need to succeed and prosper in a changing economy."

"Having the right tools to find those jobs is a priority, and the new search tool on the WorkBC site will help job seekers more easily find the jobs available to them."

Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government -

"This powerful new search tool is an example of how government is harnessing the power of technology to put opportunities and information right at job seekers' fingertips."

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Social Development -

"The WorkBC website is a wonderful complement to the new Employment Program of B.C., an integrated suite of services to help unemployed British Columbians get the support they need to get back to work quickly."

"Job seekers now have access to even more tools and resources to help them find - and keep - a job."

Christine Stoneman, chief operating officer, GT Hiring Solutions -

"GT Hiring Solutions' WorkBC Employment Services Centres have the WorkBC website on all our resource room computers. We find that it is a great tool for the clients in exploring their job options, and accessing current job offers."

"The website offers a wealth of information, no matter what stage of job search or career explorations people are in."

Quick Facts:

• Through the new Employment Program of B.C., unemployed British Columbians are receiving the services and supports they need to find and keep a job. Eighty-five WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province offer a full suite of employment programs, while ensuring quick and easy access through a single door.

• Over the next decade, British Columbia is projected to have over one million job openings. The BC Jobs Plan will ensure the over $500 million provided annually for labour market and training programs is targeted to meeting regional and industry labour market needs.

• As part of this annual expenditure, B.C. invests approximately $66 million a year - between 2008 and 2014 - in programs and services that help people get the skills they need to fill job opportunities in regions where they live and study. These programs and services are funded through the Canada - B.C. Labour Market Agreement (LMA).

• In 2012-13, the Ministry of Social Development will invest $343.5 million in employment programs and apprenticeship training, of which nearly $280 million will come from the Canada - B.C. Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA).

Learn More:

Visit the Province's one-stop working resource: http://www.workbc.ca

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca

Find the nearest WorkBC Employment Services Centre: http://www.workBCCentres.ca

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-7104