Need a job? Time to get back into the workforce? Do you want to be self-employed? Are you an employer who has a job you need filled?

WorkBC is your ‘go to’ place! Located at 291 Fairview Rd Unit D, upstairs, down by the bridge, Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 4:30.

Look through the job postings, talk to a councillor and take advantage of what the government is offering to help get Canada employed!

WorkBC is there to assist you!

Site Coordinator Melanie Guza and staff will help you with “job search resources, personal employment planning, workshops and depending on individual need and eligibility, we can also provide additional supports such as funding for training, wage subsidy, and self-employment services”.

People who have been out of the job market and want to get back to work “ probably our most typical Client group.  We work with a lot of individuals who have been out of work for a number of years due to parenting of children, injury, and/or other life responsibilities. Our qualified Case Managers can support clients through the process of career exploration that ultimately becomes the foundation of their own personal  career plan.” says Guza.

In 2011 self-employment was 15.4%* of total employment. WorkBC offers “Individuals who are interested in self-employment will undergo a self-employment orientation and assessment and if determined eligible will be referred to the Self-Employment Program.”

Employers also are eligible for assistance from WorkBC.

It can be difficult to find experienced employees. WorkBC “can help employers with their Labour Market needs by providing pre-screening of applicants, direct placement support and free job postings.” Guza adds “Employers having difficulty finding qualified employees, but are open to providing on-site skills training to new employees, we may be able to assist you with a Wage Subsidy to help supplement the costs associated to training new employees.  Sky’s the limit!”.

The best way to get a job? Melanie Guza says “Networking is key to securing employment. The more people you talk to and let them know what type of work you are seeking the better.”

Today is the day to go down to WorkBC, talk to them and learn what they can do for you!

*Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, April 2012.

What types of jobs are on the board right now?

We have job postings from a variety of industries such as agriculture, trades, customer service, hospitality, janitorial and office administration.

Are all the jobs local?

The majority of the jobs are local with postings from Oliver, Osoyoos and Cawston. However we do have some postings from other interior locations with the occasional posting in Northern BC.

What is the average wage?

As Oliver and Osoyoos have many seasonal employers and tourism based employment, the average wage is typically minimum wage of $10.25/hour.  However, there are some positions that pay slightly higher.  Additionally, if individuals are willing to commute to larger area centers such as Pentiction there are more opportunities for employment that pay higher than minimum wage.

What services do you offer?

The Oliver/Osoyoos WorkBC Employment service centre(s) provide services and support to help individuals find – and keep – a job. Our centre caters specifically to the employment needs of local residents by offering job search resources, personal employment planning, workshops and depending on individual need and eligibility, we can also provide additional supports such as funding for training, wage subsidy, and self-employment services.

We offer a fully staffed resource room that provides individuals with access to free tools to help with their job search, including, but not limited to: computers and internet access; telephones and fax machines; photocopying and scanning; job boards and employment positions; and, referrals to other community supports if needed.  For those individuals who require additional one to one support, offer case management services which provides employment planning assistance to individuals who require assistance in exploring their career choices and options.

Describe the average user:

The WorkBC Employment Service Centre offers integrated services and supports that are accessible to all British Columbians, as a result, the average user is varied.  Anyone can access our Resource Centre.  To access our Case Management Services, individuals have to be unemployed, or underemployed, and legally able to work in Canada.

Who can you assist that you feel doesn’t realize they are eligible for your help?  

Employers are also eligible for our help.  From our experience, we know that employers struggle to find and keep qualified, hard working employees.  We can help employers with their Labour Market needs by providing pre-screening of applicants, direct placement support and free job postings.  Also, if you are having difficulty finding qualified employees, but are open to providing on-site skills training to new employees, we may be able to assist you with a Wage Subsidy to help supplement the costs associated to training new employees.  Sky’s the limit!

What can you do for people who have been out of the job market and want to get back to work?

This is probably our most typical Client group.  We work with a lot of individuals who have been out of work for a number of years due to parenting of children, injury, and/or other life responsibilities.   Our qualified Case Managers can support clients through the process of career exploration that ultimately becomes the foundation of their own personal  career plan.  This plan includes an ideal position type for the individual based on comprehensive assessments, as well as next steps to support achievement of that goal.

Once someone signs up what happens then?

Once an individual signs up, they have full access to all resources in the Resource Centre and are connected to a Case Manager if they require additional job search and career exploration support.

What kind of workshops are available?

We offer a variety of workshops to support an individuals readiness to find, keep and maintain employment.  Workshops include, but are not limited to, career exploration, resume and cover letter development, interview skills, networking skills, job retention, workplace communication and time management.   A Case Manager can recommend workshops based on needs revealed through the career planning process.

Is there ongoing counselling?

Clients are supported until they secure employment and for a period of 6 – 12 months afterwards dependent on need.

What do you offer to start up businesses?

Individuals who are interested in self-employment will undergo a self-employment orientation and assessment and if determined eligible will be referred to the Self-Employment Program.  Individuals accessing the Self-Employment Program are supported financially, if eligible, while participating through the 48 week program.  However, the program does not offer any business start up loans.  Access to business loan supports will be discussed by the Self-Employment Provider once in the Program.

What do you offer the transient workers?

Our Oliver and Osoyoos center is extremely busy in the summer months connecting transient job seekers with local agricultural employers. Our centres have become the ‘go to’ resource for many orchardists and vineyards to post  and fill their job openings.

How many transient placements over the summer?

Every day in the summer months we have job seekers coming into the centre looking for work and leaving that day with a job!  Individuals just wanting to use the resource centre are not required to report out on placements with us – it is an anonymous service, as such we don’t have specific numbers.

How many computers do you have available?

In our resource room we have offer 10 computers for the purpose of job search and career exploration.

What is the user fee?

All services are free of charge.

What message do you want the public to know?

We want the WorkBC employment Service Centres to be the ‘go to’ resource for both employers and job seekers in the area. We aim to be the primary resource for local employers to connect to, and retain skilled employees.

Where does your funding come from and is it guaranteed for next year?

Open Door Group holds the Employment Program of British Columbia contract which is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. This contract is in effect until March 31 2017.

What is the best way to get a job?

Networking is key to securing employment. The more people you talk to and let them know what type of work you are seeking the better. Accessing support at the WorkBC employment service centres will open up many doors to employment opportunities in the Oliver and Osoyoos area.