Thanks to the Single Parent Employment Initiative (SPEI), Sarah, a single mother of two, is now back at school and on track to a fulfilling career in the health care field.

Sarah had been wanting to return to school for a while. Being on income assistance with two kids, however, made that challenging. Qualifying for the SPEI program changed that: SPEI covered her tuition, enabling her to enrol in a health care assistant program.

She is more than half-finished the program, and so far, has achieved “A” grades in all her courses – and she loves it. Not only does she love the program, but she is excited by the opportunities that await her.

“At the end, I will be able to financially support my kids. It’s great for them to see their mom do something that’s worth it.”

Going to school and being a single parent is very busy but Sarah feels it is teaching her children a strong work ethic.

“This is a team effort,” she said, explaining that her son, eight, and her daughter, five, understand that their mom is busier than ever now that she is at school.

Sarah doesn’t think she’ll be any less busy once school is done either, as she has already received job offers.

“There will be work for me forever,” she said with confidence.

On top of that, she already has plans for further education after getting some work experience in her field. With so many opportunities in the health care field now open to her, she hasn’t made a final decision on her direction yet, but is looking forward to the career possibilities.

“I don’t think this would have been possible without SPEI,” she said of her bright future. “It is a fantastic program and really helps single parents gain employment and be able to support their children.”

The Single Parent Employment Initiative provides eligible single parents on income or disability assistance with supports including up to 12 months of funded training for in-demand jobs or paid work experience placement, transit costs to and from school, and child care costs during their training or work placement and in the first year of employment. Single parents can also remain on income assistance while attending a training program. Since its launch in September 2015, more than 4,550 single parents have become involved in SPEI and over 900 have already found employment.

Photo of Sarah: https://flic.kr/p/SJToPA

Learn more about the Single Parent Employment Initiative: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/home/featured-services/services/employment-initiative-for-single-parents