Personal assistance can take many forms depending upon individual needs. In the first appointments, clients are given a brief overview of how our services operate. In these meetings, we explore the client's work history, education, and training.  We briefly review factors such as financial stress, family situations, or health etc that may affect the options available. Dreams and goals are examined. This process is called a 'Needs Assessment’ and is designed to help clients to identify their employment needs and barriers, determine the services they need, and develop and action plan to re-attach to the work force.  

From this initial assessment, clients may then choose to access the services identified in their action plan.  These services include the following:

Employment Counselling
Everyone wants a satisfying job with sufficient income to support their lifestyle which has possibilities for long-term employment.  To get to this point it is important that we look at several items.  What makes a job satisfying to us? What knowledge, skills, and abilities do we have to contribute? What transferable skills do we bring from our previous experiences?  What kind of jobs are in increasing demands versus those that are declining? How does my personality play into the kinds of work I like to do?  We spend a lot of our life at work, so it is important that we learn how to make employment choices that will bring us satisfaction.  This is as important for that short-term job, because it is from this job that we gain more skills to go on to the next more rewarding position. If that first choice is not headed in the right direction, we may find ourselves working a lot of years at jobs we dislike.  

To find the answers to the questions above, and to get clear on the kind of work that is important to us is why people come for employment counselling.  Through a few appointments we help you get really clear about what is important to you.  The meetings may simply be asking about your experiences, interests, hobbies, work history, and education or we may assist you with some formal or informal assessments.   Whatever it takes for you to have that 'aha' moment.  It is all about YOU!

Job Search Support
A lot of people think that looking for a job is about watching the classified ads, checking out the job postings, and submitting resumes.  Unfortunately that is not the case.  There are a lot of people out there competing for a limited number of jobs.  So, to conduct an effective job search, we need to know how to stand out from the crowd.  The resume is a tool, and like any tool, it can look great but have little substance, or have wonderful information in a poor format.  To catch attention the resume needs to sparkle both in appearance and content.  To create such a resume that speaks about what we can offer an employer takes work.  Our Employment Specialists, Facilitators, and Job Search Specialists are here to provide support and guidance with resumes, cover letters, interview techniques, etc.  In addition to this we have a variety of workshops specially designed to teach you the skills you need to find those hidden job opportunities and get noticed.  Opportunities are everywhere.... but you need to know where to look and be ready to act!        

Search for Training
There are times when we must look for work in a field for which we do not have the necessary training or certification.  This could be because we had been working in an industry that is declining rapidly, or have been injured and can no long work in the same field, or perhaps we have never been able to find anything other than low-paying seasonal work.  Whatever the reason, sometimes we need to consider getting some training. Selecting the career direction has been described in Employment Counselling above, but there are other things to consider.  What kind of training is needed?  Where is it offered?  How do we compare schools and curriculum?  How will we pay for it?  Our Employment Specialists can assist with all these questions and others.  In some cases there is special funding available to assist with the training costs, and possibly also for living costs and books during the training period.  Is this the time to consider a new direction and a different future?  It is up to you.

Wage Subsidies
For those who have been struggling to find work without success, a wage subsidy may be a possibility.  This employment benefit is designed to assist the employer with the costs associated with hiring someone who does not have all the skills that the employer needs.  It is actually a win-win solution for everyone.  The employer gets a break on the cost of the wages for the new employee, which makes the person eligible for a wage subsidy more attractive to hire than others.  This is especially true when the economy is poor.  Wage subsidies can be for different amounts for different lengths of time.  It all depends on the gap between what the employer needs and what the potential employee has to offer.  Once someone has been approved for a wage subsidy, the next step is learning how to use this as a marketing tool. Why not talk to our Employment Specialists about the wage subsidy eligibility requirements? 

Self-Employment
Starting a business is always an option when jobs are hard to find.  The Self-Employment Benefit Program is sponsored by the Provincial government and is designed to assist those who wish to go this route.  The program is operated by Community Futures of the South Okanagan and information sessions are held regularly to explain how the program works.  Once someone has been to the information session and completed their week-long Entrepreneurial Assessment program, if self-employment is still of interest, that's where WorkZone comes in.  Our Employment Specialists have the task of ensuring that those referred to the meet the necessary eligibility and suitability requirements to take advantage of this employment benefit.  If you are unemployed and have a great idea to start a business around, then maybe this is the direction for you.

Certificates
Sometimes all we need is a little help to move forward.  If you have the experience but are missing that piece of paper, maybe we can help.  Or perhaps you are hoping to finding work in the hospitality industry and need some basic certificates, we can help.  We can provide funding for short training courses leading to certificates for clients who have demonstrated a commitment to working with us to find employment.  Some of the courses that have been funded recently include: Level 1 First Aid, WHMIS, Serving It Right, Food Safe, Forklift Operator, H2S. 

Transportation & Daycare
WorkZone is able to assist clients with transportation and daycare costs if they are working with our Employment Specialists.  These supports are available to cover for coming to appointments, workshops and to other services detailed in their Action Plan.  Travel support is also available for clients to attend employer interviews. 

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