Non-Ministry Funded Employment Programs & Services

Effective:  September 1, 2024

Recipients requiring Employability Plans will be identified by the ministry for formal referral to WorkBC Employment Services (ES) or an Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) provider. Clients who identify as Indigenous, can choose between being formally referred to either WorkBC or an ISET service provider [see Additional Resources for a list of ISET service providers]. Recipients who are not formally referred to WorkBC can be encouraged to access WorkBC Self-Serve services or participate in Case Management, if eligible. Non-referred recipients, unless temporarily exempt from the requirement to enter into an Employability Plan (EP), may be referred to other non-ministry programs as appropriate [see Related Links – WorkBC Employment Services and Employability Plan – Policy – Temporarily Exempting or Suspending an Employability Plan].

Participation in non-ministry employment programs by recipients receiving provincial assistance should be documented on either an Employability Plan (HR2863) or a Voluntary Employability Plan (HR SD2916).  [For more information, see Related Links – Employability Plan, or Voluntary Employability Plan.]

Ministry approval for program participation is not required if a recipient’s participation in a part-time unfunded program of study does not affect the conditions of their EP (i.e. participation in WorkBC).  For example, a recipient could participate in a part-time evening or weekend course without affecting their employment-related obligations.

Ministry approval is required for participation in a full-time unfunded program or a part-time program that may affect the conditions of a recipient’s EP. The EP may need to be updated if approval is granted.

For Employability Plan (HR 2863) or Voluntary Employability Plan (HR 2916), see Forms and Letters.

Effective:  September 1, 2024

Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET)

The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) program, is designed to help Indigenous people prepare for and find sustainable jobs [see Additional Resources for a list of ISET service providers].  All individuals who self-identify as Indigenous, regardless of status or location, may access ISET programs and services, which include culturally relevant services similar to WorkBC ES. Recipients identified for formal referral to WorkBC may choose whether to receive services from WorkBC ES, ISET or both.

Where appropriate the ministry will approve Indigenous recipients in the following categories to participate in a full-time or part-time unfunded non-ministry program offered by a service provider: Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB), Persons with Disabilities (PWD), Expected to Work (ETW), clients with No Employability-Related Obligations (NEO), and Expected to Work-Medical Condition (ETW-MC).  This will allow recipients to participate in these programs and improve their employability while being able to continue to receive assistance.

Ministry approval is not required if a recipient’s participation in a part-time unfunded program of study does not affect the conditions of their EP or their employability-related obligations (i.e., participation in WorkBC or ISET). For example, a recipient could participate in a part-time evening or weekend course without affecting their employability-related obligations.

In order to receive ministerial approval of participation in an ISET approved program, the Basic Criteria and Program Criteria must be met.

Basic Criteria:

To receive ministerial approval, the recipient must:

• demonstrate that the program/intervention is part of a realistic, achievable plan that could move them toward sustainable employment
• commit to completing the program
• provide progress updates to the ministry
• receive prior approval of the ministry to participate in the program, and
• have their participation noted in the EP 

Program Criteria:

To receive ministerial approval, the program must:

• focus on moving the recipient along the ministry’s Employment Continuum by increasing the recipient’s employability
• have a clear commencement and completion date
• not exceed 52 weeks in length (does not include reasonable pauses – e.g., short-term medical condition) unless ISET service providers deem necessary for a recipient to extend the programs.

When an ISET funded program is equal to WorkBC, or more appropriate, the ministry will refer recipients to programs and interventions provided by ISET service providers prior to referring to other ministry programs. The ISET service provider will determine if a recipient can participate in their programs.  In most cases, the referral should be made prior to a recipient participating in other employment programs. 

If an Indigenous PPMB, PWD, ETW, NEO, or ETW-MC recipient participating in WorkBC informs WorkBC of their desire to enter an ISET-approved program, WorkBC, in consultation with the ministry staff, will release the recipient. All Indigenous recipients participating in or receiving supports from ISET-approved programs retain their employability plan conditions. [For more information, see Additional Resources – List of ISET service providers]

 [For students attending post-secondary school, see Related Links – Education & Training, for more information]

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities is administered by Service Canada.  This program funds projects that assist persons with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, and keeping employment or becoming self-employed.  To be eligible as a participant, it is not a requirement that an individual have the persons with disability designation under the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act.  Unemployed individuals who are legally entitled to work in Canada and who self-identify as having a disability may be eligible to participate in a project. 

The fund may support an array of activities, such as encouraging employers to hire workers with disabilities, increasing the employment skills of persons with disabilities, providing work experience, and assisting individuals with starting their own businesses.  Funds may be available to participants to assist with approved costs relating to their participation in funded projects.  [For more information, see Additional Resources – Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.]

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) consists of two programs:

• The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program provides funding to organizations to deliver a range of activities that help youth (aged 15 to 30) overcome barriers to employment. The YESS Program supports a flexible approach that offers services tailored to each individual youth to gain the skills and experience that they need to find and keep good quality jobs. Supports can include mentorship, wrap-around services (for example, dependent care support, mental health counselling) and paid work experiences.
• Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) provides wage subsidies to employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees, to create quality summer employment opportunities for young Canadians aged 15 to 30

Effective:   September 01, 2024

Apprenticeship Training

Apprenticeship training in BC comes under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills and is administered by SkilledTradesBC. WorkBC Apprentice Services provides financial supports to individuals participating in the classroom component of their apprenticeship training. Clients interested in apprenticeships should contact SkilledTradesBC for more information, or enquire at their local WorkBC Centre. [See Additional Resources – SkilledTradesBC]

Skills Training for Employment

Skills Training for Employment programs provide specialized training, employment services and supports for vulnerable and under-represented populations across the province. This includes programs that assist those experiencing barriers to employment, or who are not employment ready, obtain sustainable employment. The main objective of these programs is to increase the labour force participation and reduce the unemployment rate of vulnerable and under-represented groups in B.C.

Employment supports may include counselling, mentoring, work experience, wage subsidies, transportation, childcare, equipment, and disability supports. Programs are specifically targeted to vulnerable and under-represented people who face barriers to employment, including those who face multiple barriers to employment.

[For more information, see Additional Resources – Skills Training for Employment]

SkilledTradesBC Pre-Apprenticeship Trades Training

SkilledTradesBC Pre-Apprenticeship Trades Training are WDA-funded programs designed to prepare  Indigenous people, and other equity-deserving groups for apprenticeships and jobs in trades. Equity-deserving groups include, under-represented people in the trades, as well as people experiencing barriers to entering and succeeding in trades-related occupations.

SkilledTradesBC sponsors community service providers, training providers and Indigenous communities to deliver trades training and employment programs across B.C.

[For more information, see Additional Resources – SkilledTradesBC Pre-Apprenticeship Trades Training]

BladeRunners

BladeRunners is an employment program funded under the Canada-BC Workforce Development Agreement that helps at-risk young adults aged 15 to 30 obtain and sustain full-time employment in a range of industries. The program provides life skills and job readiness training, job placement and supports. A majority of participants are Indigenous and Indigenous organizations are key delivery partners. 

The BladeRunners program’s main objective is to increase the labour force participation of unemployed or precariously employed young adults at risk in British Columbia

BladeRunners provides employment-related training and support such as:

• Job readiness skills
• Certification courses (e.g., WHMIS, WCB Awareness, First Aid Level 1)
• Job coaching and support seven days a week, 24 hours a day
• Workplace communication skills
• Job placement opportunities
• Life skills training

[For more information, see Additional Resources – BladeRunners.]

Community Workforce Response Grant

Community Workforce Response Grant (CWRG) provides funding to communities and sectors to support in-demand skills training leading to secure and sustainable employment for unemployed or precariously employed (part-time, seasonal or casual) British Columbians.

CWRG agreements support communities, including Indigenous communities, sectors, and training providers to deliver skills training in communities based on local labour demands. Projects include wraparound supports, such as childcare and transportation.

CWRG is a flexible program, able to add or modify streams to meet emerging needs such as the labour market disruptions that resulted from COVID-19. Applications are accepted through an online application three times per year to ensure funding is available to meet community needs as they arise.

Funding streams include (as of 2024/2025):

• Emerging Priorities: Supports communities experiencing a shift in their labour market that requires skills training to address (industry closure, natural disaster such as forest fire or flood, new economic development opportunity).
• Indigenous Communities: Provides funding to Indigenous communities for the skills training and supports needed to meet local labour market needs.
• Workforce Shortages: Supports sectors and industries to address the skills training needs of workers linked to jobs in demand.
• Community Response: Supports the skills training needs of communities impacted by downturns in the forest sector due to old-growth deferrals, changes in forest management practices, mill closures and curtailments, or other forestry-related issues.

[For more information, see Additional Resources – Community Workforce Response Grant]

Indigenous Skills Training and Education (ISTE)

Indigenous Skills Training and Education provides funding to support the self-determined design and delivery of skills training, post-secondary education and employment programs that address the unique needs and circumstances of Indigenous communities.

These partnerships help meet the workforce and economic priorities of Indigenous people by funding community-led programs, services, and supports required to upgrade skills, obtain credentials, access post-secondary education, secure employment, and grow local economies, which improves socioeconomic outcomes for people and communities and contributes to lasting meaningful reconciliation.