Eighty-five one-stop WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province were launched this week, aiming at delivering the new Employment Program of B.C. to unemployed British Columbians.
The program, which will operated by individual service providers, is designed to give job seekers the support and services they need to get back to work quickly. Job seekers will be able to access services through any of these centres, as well as through satellite offices and mobile and outreach services in their communities.
The centres integrate all of the services the province currently offers, combining programs that were previously operated separately by the provincial and federal governments.
The province said the new program is about reduced administration, better efficiency and more program dollars being spent on direct services to British Columbians.
All providers are responsible for ensuring their services are delivered to specialized populations and smaller communities.
The program will include a performance management system to help the ministry assess and adjust the program on an ongoing basis to ensure that people’s needs are being met.
It will also have a Centre for Employment Excellence that will offer resources, training and technical assistance to the employment services sector, employers and service providers.
In 2012-13, the Ministry of Social Development is slated to invest $343.5 million in employment programs and apprenticeship training, of which nearly $280 million will come from the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Development Agreement.
