Minister of Social Development Moira Stilwell, M.D. is marking the one-year anniversary of the Employment Program of BC with a tour of the WorkBC Employment Services Centre in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

This WorkBC Centre, operated by the Open Door Group, has an impressive employment outcome success rate of 57 per cent for their clients.

In April of 2012, the government opened 85 WorkBC Employment Services Centres and 114 satellite offices throughout British Columbia, successfully offering a full suite of employment programs while ensuring quick and easy access through a single door.

Services range from access to computers and job search resources, to case-managed services including personal employment planning, skills training and work experience placements.

To date, WorkBC Employment Services Centres have provided employment supports and services to almost 82,000 individuals. Over 67,000 people have received case management services. Almost 50 per cent of people who have received and completed case managed services have found employment. The training sector has done extremely well, with 5,338 individuals accessing both essential skills training, and skills training. Of these individuals, 88 per cent of those engaged in training found a job within 30 days of completing their program.

WorkBC Centre clients include individuals receiving employment insurance or income assistance, as well as specialized populations such as Aboriginal peoples, francophone persons, immigrants, persons with disabilities, rural and remote populations, multi-barriered clients, survivors of violence and/or abuse, and youth.

The one-window model also enables a better tracking and reporting system which gives a balanced, realistic snapshot of all participants. This helps to ensure program accountability and transparency.

Service providers around the province will be hosting open houses throughout April, connecting with employers, job seekers and program participants to celebrate the one-year milestone.

In 2012-13, the Province budgeted $343.5 million in employment services and apprenticeship training. This includes $280 million through the federal Labour Market Development Agreement, $55.5 million in provincial spending and $8 million through the Labour Market Agreement with the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training.

Quotes:

Minister of Social Development, Moira Stilwell, M.D. -

"The success of the Employment Program of BC speaks to the dedication, commitment and innovation of the service contractors, the job seekers and the employers. The program is streamlining employment services and making it easier for British Columbians to reintegrate into the workforce."

Tom Burnell, CEO, Open Door Group -

"At Open Door Group, we believe all individuals can succeed, and reflecting on the past year, we've seen some great successes. It's been an exciting year, primarily with the completion of the transition to the new Employment Program of BC. We've seen the development of so many community partnerships in each of the areas we serve, and through the partnerships we are now witnessing the fruits of our collective labour by the achievement of significant employment outcomes for British Columbians."

Former WorkBC Centre client and full-time HR project co-ordinator - Adelet -

"The support and encouragement given to me by my case worker was so important to me. She helped me gain the self-esteem I needed to continue the job search, and find a full-time job."

Quick Facts:

• Under the Employment Program of B.C., service providers are ensuring that everyone has access to the same services through their WorkBC Employment Services Centres, regardless of where they live in the province.

• Employment Program of B.C. achievements to date include:

• Since launching in April 2012, WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province have provided employment supports and services to almost 82,000 individuals, with 82 per cent of those receiving case management services.

• 20,197 (34 per cent) of the people receiving case management were also receiving employment and assistance services.

• 22,615 (30 per cent) of case managed people were receiving employment insurance benefits.

• 42,336 (63 per cent) of case managed people self-identified with a specialized population group, including Aboriginal peoples, francophone persons, immigrants, persons with disabilities, rural and remote populations, multi-barriered clients, survivors of violence and/or abuse, and youth.

• Statistics - WorkBC Employment Services Centre in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, operated by the Open Door Group:

• Since April 2012, this WorkBC Centre had an impressive employment outcome success rate of 57.5 per cent, which is above average.

• The number of people who self identified as being associated with a specialized population at this location is approximately 60 per cent. This includes higher than average numbers of people with a disability, people with multiple barriers, youth, immigrants and Aboriginal people.

• This WorkBC Centre has the second highest number of total clients served to date in their region, which includes Vancouver South/Midtown/Westside/Downtown Eastside/City Centre, Richmond, North Vancouver, Sechelt, Squamish and Whistler.

• People on income assistance or unemployment insurance receiving services are almost double that of any other office in the region.

Learn More:

To find a WorkBC service centre close to you, visit: www.workbccentres.ca

To learn more about the Ministry of Social Development, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/hsd/index.html

To learn more about the services offered by WorkBC Employment Services Centres operated by Open Door Group, visit: www.opendoorgroup.org

Contact:

Grant Kerr
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Social Development
250 387-5635