Community Transition Services
Last updated on May 21, 2024Coordinated by the Province, community transition services are tailored to the unique circumstances, strengths and capacity of a community. Specialized provincial staff located across B.C. work alongside communities to identify their needs and challenges following the loss of a major employer. Resources are mobilized for impacted workers, employers and communities by engaging across all levels of government, service providers, and others to address the impacts. Similar services are also available to communities experiencing economic shocks caused by natural disasters.
There are typically three steps in a transition process: initiation, implementation, and monitoring.
Step 1: Initiation
Within 24 hours of learning of an indefinite curtailment or closure event, provincial staff reach out to local and Indigenous governments and offer supports and, if invited by the community, begin organizing a community transition response.
Step 2: Implementation
A community transition team is created, bringing together all levels of government, employers, unions, community organizations and local partners. These teams provide advice to local governments, manage available supports and resources and determine a coordinated, tailored response to support the community at large.
Supports available throughout a community transition depend on community identified needs and may include:
- Worker needs assessments
- Job and career fairs
- Worker information sessions
- Townhall meetings
- Skills training
Step 3: Monitoring
Community transition teams may be active for a few months and up to a year depending on the nature of the transition. Monitoring and assessment of impacts on existing community support services is ongoing throughout the process.
Communities are offered long-term support through the province's economic development services.
Three Pillars of Transition Support
Worker Transition
This support involves coordinating timely information and access to resources like employment services, career counselling, new job opportunities and skills training.
Key partners include WorkBC, Service Canada, unions, post-secondary institutions, and the Ministries of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Labour and Post Secondary Education and Future Skills.
Community Supports
Communities are connected to available resources to help manage the stress and uncertainty associated with employment loss and economic transition.
Supports could include community services like food banks, financial services, and mental health support.
Economic Development
Continued assistance is provided to communities to develop and implement economic development and diversification plans. The approach builds on the community’s existing economic development work, existing assets and partnerships.
Local support often includes Community Futures, local business leaders, Chambers of Commerce, and other organizations such as the Economic Trusts.