THE province unveiled an overarching employment program April 2 with the announcement of 85 job centres in B.C. including an employment office in North Vancouver, as part of the new Employment Program of B.C.
Job seekers on the North Shore can head to the employment centre at 260 Esplanade West and access a wide range of services, according to Marnie Marley, director of employment services with the YWCA.
"Any unemployed person who's eligible to work in Canada is able to go to one of these employment service centres and get all the supports and resources they need to find employment," Marley said.
The employment centre is just down the hall from the youth employment office, which offers resume advice and Internet access for unemployed youths between the ages of 15 and 30.
The new employment program is intended to integrate every provincial employment service while reducing unnecessary administration, according to Minister of Social Development Stephanie Cadieux.
"The new program has rolled up all the best of those programs," Cadieux said. "So everyone is going to be served no matter what their area."
The program replaces more specifically targeted employment offices on the North Shore, including an office for professional and technical workers, according to Marley.
"We have lost some specialized services in developing this new model," Marley said.
Jim Hanson, North Vancouver/Seymour New Democratic Party candidate, questioned the thoroughness of the new model.
"One would have to ask whether people who need specialized services are going to find those services met by this program," said Hanson, adding that he supports the aims of the program.
Different support groups will be closely connected in the new employment program, according to Marley, who said the Canadian Mental Health Association and the North Shore Multicultural Society will have staff on hand to help job seekers with mental health issues or language barriers.
Each centre offers special services for immigrants, youth, survivors of violence, and people with disabilities.
Approximately 95 per cent of clients referred to the B.C. Employment Program will be accepted, according to a release from the provincial government. Anyone working fewer than 20 hours each week is eligible for the program.
Clients will be interviewed, assessed, and assisted in finding employment.
The catalyst for the program was the inconsistent and sometimes insufficient range of services at different employment offices, particularly in rural areas, according to Cadieux.
There will be an estimated 1.1 million job openings in B.C. over the next decade, according to the province.
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