VICTORIA - The BC Centre for Employment Excellence is receiving more than $463,000 in provincial funding for three research projects that will, over the long term, help more British Columbians find and keep a job.

The projects aim to look at new and innovative solutions to some specific labour market issues. Projects range from investigating the benefits of mentoring relationships within the employment sector, to researching ways that non-profits that offer employment services can improve services. Another project explored what holds youth back from employment.

• The first project, called Developing Knowledge, Skills and Leadership through Mentoring Partnerships, is receiving $178,679 in funding.
• Strengthening Business Practices to Achieve Higher Performance project is receiving $97,450 funding and wraps up in March 2015.
• The third project, which was recently completed, Understanding Current Employment Programming and Services for Youth, received $187,475 in funding. It resulted in five published research papers that delve into issues faced by youth who are looking for work. Issues included youth living with mental illness, vulnerable youth and refugee and immigrant youth, the role that employers can play, as well as the opportunities offered to youth through B.C.’s growing social enterprise sector.

The projects are funded through Research and Innovation, a component of the Employment Program of BC’s Community and Employer Partnerships, which fund projects that increase employability and share labour market information.

The objective of Research and Innovation is to use progressive research and leading edge innovation to discover better ways of helping unemployed British Columbians join the workforce as quickly as possible.

Quotes:

Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae -

“Research and Innovation is a fantastic way to explore new ways of doing things in the employment sector. The BC Centre for Employment Excellence is conducting some fascinating innovative research that should help ensure that more British Columbians are finding work.”

BC Centre for Employment Excellence managing director Susanna Lui Gurr -

“The Community and Employer Partnerships Research and Innovation fund plays a critical role in supporting creativity and innovation in the B.C. employment services sector. The centre is pleased to be part of this proactive approach that inspires the community to combine ideas with action to improve programs and practices with the aim of making a difference for job seekers in the province.”

BC Career Development Association president Tom Burnell -

“As an association with a mandate to advance the practice and professionalism of career practitioners in B.C., we are truly excited to partner with the BC Centre for Employment Excellence on the Mentoring Partnership Project. By pairing up new practitioners to seasoned career development professionals, the project aims to accelerate knowledge transfer and skills development among our members, ultimately leading to high-quality service for the job-seekers our sector serves.”

Quick Facts:

• The BC Centre for Employment Excellence website is designed for employers and the employment services sector, providing them with up-to-date ideas, information and sector knowledge to help them deliver the best services possible to job seekers in B.C.
• The centre includes a knowledge clearinghouse, a system to share best practices in the employment industry and links to relevant events and conferences.
• Research and Innovation projects are released on the Centre for Employment Excellence website and shared publicly within the employment sector in order to help improve outcomes for British Columbians who are looking for work.
• In 2014-15, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
• The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• Funding supports 85 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
  • Job Creation Partnerships
  • Labour Market Partnerships
  • Project-Based Labour Market Training
  • Research and Innovation
• The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint that helps align training and education with in-demand jobs and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market or who face unique challenges.

Who is eligible?

• Businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Crown corporations
• Municipalities, agencies or territorial governments
• Bands/tribal councils
• Public health and educational institutions

Learn More:

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

Find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca

Learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi

To learn more about the BC Centre for Employment Excellence and to see the five research papers on youth employment: http://www.cfeebc.org/research-innovation/youth-employment

A backgrounder, Three Research and Innovation projects will help with jobs, can be found at: http://ow.ly/FLlpj

Media Contacts:

Corinna Filion
Director of Communications
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
250 387-6489