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Job Options BC

Overview

Out of work and need a hand getting back into the job market? Job Options BC is a new employment and skills training program that can help unemployed British Columbians gain the skills, confidence and experience they need to find employment.

If you are unemployed but not an Employment Insurance (EI) client, and you want to become employed, this program is designed to help you.

What does the program offer?

• Up to 10 weeks of group and individual programming, short-term training and work experience that prepares participants for new employment, or when appropriate, further training.
• Four to six weeks of group activities, including assessment, life skills, job-finding clubs and employability skills (job search, basic skills upgrading, computer training, and short term skill training). Groups usually include 10 to 12 participants.
• Further skills training and/or work experience during the remainder of the program includes employer, community-based or volunteer work experience. This provides the opportunity for participants to learn skills to assist their search for paid employment.
• Up to six months of follow-up support provided for those who need additional help to find and maintain employment or to regain employment if they lose a job.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for this program, participants must be:

• 18 years of age or older
• unemployed
• non-EI clients (have not established a regular EI claim in the last three years and have not established a maternity or parental claim in the past five years)
• legally entitled to work in Canada
• living in BC
• not a student
• not participating in another Labour Market Agreement (LMA) funded program

Where and when is the program offered?

Job Options BC programs are located in the following communities, and may also be accessible to residents in nearby communities. As programs start at various times between Nov 2010 and March 31, 2012, please contact the service provider directly about services.

Job Options BC is based on two highly successful programs, the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers program and the Return to pilot Work Employment Program.

The program began in November 2010 and Job Options BC programs are currently in place until March 31, 2012. The Province has the option to renew the programs, for two consecutive one year terms through to March 31, 2014, depending on the success of the program.

The Province has allocated approximately $15M annually to funding this initiative through the Canada/BC Labour Market Agreement. To see other skills development and training programs currently offered, please visit Work BC.

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