WorkBC Centre – Vancouver Midtown
Monthly Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2022

It's Disability Employment Month in BC

September is Disability Employment Month (DEM), an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the valuable contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workforce across BC and beyond. It's also an opportunity to recognize inclusive employers and organizations across the province that support individuals with disabilities to succeed in their careers. 

Click here to learn more about DEM, and click here to access relevant (and free!) resources.

Stay tuned for our upcoming podcast episode (available on September 16th on Spreaker, Spotify and other podcast platforms), which will feature more resources and opportunities available for jobseekers with disabilities.

Join us for an in-person hiring fair with Parq Vancouver!

Join us in person OR via livestream on September 21st for an exciting hiring event with Parq Vancouver! The event will take place at the WorkBC Midtown East Centre (110 East 3rd Ave, Vancouver, BC). The presentation and Q&A will be livestreamed via Facebook.

Parq Vancouver is an "Untapped Workplace Inclusion Champion Award for Medium & Large Business (2020)" recipient and an employer of WorkBC Midtown jobseekers. The company is hiring for a variety of roles, from front-of-house roles to Marketing Specialists to accounting positions. Click here for a list of current job postings. 

This event is open to all jobseekers. Individuals with disabilities are welcome and encouraged to attend. You'll have the opportunity to learn about:

• Parq Casino and its current job openings, including requirements and what you will be doing on the job
• The benefits and perks available to employees, including competitive base pay rates, 100% employer-paid benefits coverage for you AND your family, and exclusive discounts at the restaurants and lounges on property
• The hiring process and what to expect
• WorkBC's FREE career services and supports for jobseekers
• Answers to any related questions you may have (Q&A)

Click here to register for the event. 

Click here to visit the event landing page with resources and tips on how to prepare for the hiring fair.

Register for September workshops

Click here to view this month's workshop schedule via the Client Hub! Workshops are held virtually with a handful being held in person.

No Hub account yet? Please contact your Employment Specialist to create an account or to get registered for workshops.

UPCOMING EVENTS

WORKBC ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES WEBINAR

Multiple dates available

Register now to learn more about the WorkBC Assistive Technology Services (ATS) Program and funding available for assistive technologies in BC!

Click here to register.
 

VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY: SKILLED IMMIGRANT INFOCENTRE EVENTS

Multiple events/dates available

Are you exploring careers or looking for a job? Check out these free workshops and events hosted by VPL's Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre, including Career and Job Search Tours, Canadian Workplace Culture and Communication, and more!

Click here to register.
 

BRAINSTATION: STARTING AND BUILDING A CAREER IN UX DESIGN

Sept 15, 2022 | 6 PM to 8 PM

Hosted by BrainStation, this multi-disciplinary event will explore the fastest-rising jobs in tech, including the growth of UX design, what skills are most important for success in the field, career paths, and more!

Click here to register.
 

EMPLOYMENT INSIGHTS AND VOICES OF NEWCOMERS

Sept 17, 2022 | 9 AM to 12:30 PM

The Employment Insights and Voices of Newcomers is a chance for employers and newcomers to come together to discuss the local job market and how to ensure hiring practices are more inclusive in order to support newcomers to fulfill their goals and employers to thrive.

Click here for more information and to register.
 

SUN LIFE: CAREER OPEN HOUSE

Sept 23, 2022 | 10 AM to 4 PM

Don't miss this hiring event to discover your next career opportunity with Sun Life! Bring your resume for an immediate interview.

Click here to learn more and register.
 

SKILLED IMMIGRANTS JOB FAIR

Sept 23, 2022 |1 PM to 4 PM (1 to 2 PM – Career Paths clients only; 2 to 4 PM –  Open to all)

ISSofBC Career Paths is pleased to host an In-Person Skilled Immigrants Job Fair in partnership with Archway Community Services, Back in Motion, Douglas College, MOSAIC, PICS, and YWCA Metro Vancouver with employers such as Best Buy Canada, Fraser Health, Hansen Industries LTD, Home Care Assistance, Metis Nation British Columbia, SkyHive Technologies Inc, and TransLink.

Click here to register.
 

MOUNT PLEASANT COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR

Sept 24, 2022 |10 AM to 1 PM

Hosted by the Vancouver Public Library (Mount Pleasant), this free event is a great way to learn more about the organizations and resources available in the Mount Pleasant area and beyond. 

Click here to view the event poster.
 

JOB FAIR: BRITISH COLUMBIA INFRASTRUCTURE BENEFITS (BCIB)

Sept 29, 2022 | 1 PM to 4 PM

Connect face-to-face with BCIB hiring managers! WorkBC Vancouver City Centre is excited to host this construction industry-focused hiring fair.

Click here to learn more and register.
 

VANCOUVER POLICE DEPARTMENT (VPD) INFO SESSION

Oct 1, 2022 | 10 AM to 12 PM 

Ever consider becoming a police officer or special municipal constable? Come and learn what it takes! VPD info sessions are available to new recruits, experienced officers, and special municipal constables.

Click here to register.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

NPower Canada Tech Training Programs 

NPower Canada offers free (no cost) tech-training programs and IT certifications for jobseekers across Canada, including here in BC. Successful graduates from each program (Junior IT Analyst Program or Junior Data Analyst Program) benefit from personal and professional development, job placement services, post-hire coaching and support, and access to corporate mentors and guest speakers.

Click here for more information and to register.

Skills Work

Skills Work is a free program for persons with disabilities to gain skills training and obtain employment. Participants get individualized planning and skills training, job preparation workshops, paid work experience placement, job search assistance, and more. 

Intake is continuous; click here to view the program info (flyer).

Electrical Foundations Harmonized Program

Looking to start trades training for an apprenticeship or career in the construction industry? Have your plans been impacted by COVID-19? Join this 20-week ITA and PTIB approved Electrical Foundations training program, in partnership with ACE Community College, to gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a construction electrician.

The program starts on September 26th. Click here to learn more, and click here to view the program poster. 

Virtual Customer Service and Digital Skills Training Program 

Virtual Customer Service/Digital Skills is for youth, immigrants, Indigenous people, and persons with multiple barriers to employment who want to jump-start their careers! This is a fully-funded (free for participants), 17-week program delivered online by the Training Group at Douglas College.

Start date is September 26th. Click here for more information.

Material Handling 4.0 Training Program

Are you interested in earning $19-$25/hour as an entry level warehousing/logistics professional? You may qualify for VCC’s fully funded Material Handling 4.0 (MH 4.0) training program! MH 4.0 is a comprehensive nine-week training program that provides employability and vocational skills training to prepare participants for a variety of entry-level warehouse roles.

The next cohort begins on October 3rd. Click here for more details. 

YWCA Gear Up

YWCA Gear Up is a free 13-week program that equips youth ages 15 - 30 with the skills, certification and employer connections necessary to work as a bike mechanic. The program includes: 5 weeks of in-class skills development workshops, including Introduction to Bike Mechanics Certificate, 6 weeks of work experience with a local bike repair shop (honorarium provided), and 2 weeks of one-to-one job search support.

The program begins on October 3rd. Click here for more information. 

Accelerated Career Development Practice Program

Funded by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, this 20-week online Project Based Labour Market Program (PBLMT) will prepare you for work as a Career Development Practitioner. Training will be delivered Virtually and includes: Skills for Success; Occupation Specific Language Training; Career Development Practice CE Certificate; Diversity and Inclusion for the Workplace Certificate; and 4 weeks in-person Work Experience.

Program starts October 17th. Click here to learn more. 

Green Energy Installer Program 

The Green Energy Installer Program is a free, 16-week, full-time program that will train participants to become residential and commercial installers for renewable energy projects (e.g. solar, wind, EV chargers). The program will be delivered in person. Weekly allowance is available for eligible participants.

The next intake begins on January 3rd but early registration is now open! Click here for the program poster. For more information, please call 604-596-7722 ext. 611 or email pblmt@pcrs.ca.

EMPLOYER SPOTLIGHT

Adult ADHD Centre: "We also recognize that there is an underrepresentation of neurodiverse people in the workforce"

While the challenges of managing daily tasks and achieving long-term goals can be stressful for anyone, individuals living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can often feel very overwhelmed or isolated.

"We work with adults with ADHD and who are neurodiverse. Life for them has been a struggle as they often have been criticized and ridiculed," says Dr. Gurdeep Parhar, Medical Director of the Adult ADHD Centre, which serves patients throughout Canada. "Our passion is for helping adults with school, work, family life, social life." According to Dr. Parhar, this passion for supporting individuals with ADHD is the driving force behind the Centre and "extends to how we operate."

Dr. Gurdeep Parhar and Dr. Anita Parhar, who is the Educational Director at the Adult ADHD Centre, have assessed and treated over 12,000 adult patients. In addition to providing assessments, the Centre also provides guidance on how best to manage ADHD. These supports help patients find success in all areas of life, including education and employment.

"We also recognize that there is an underrepresentation of neurodiverse people in the workforce," says Dr. Gurdeep Parhar. For this reason, the Adult ADHD Centre decided to partner with WorkBC Midtown to recruit qualified jobseekers to fill specific roles in their Burnaby head office. "The challenge has been to match our job opportunities with people who have the specific requirements, skills and education," said Dr. Anita Parhar. "WorkBC helped with the entire process. The biggest asset was matching us with candidates [WorkBC clients] who would be a good fit…they helped us with coordinating interviews and the selection process."

After hiring successfully through WorkBC Midtown (see below for Roberta’s success story!), the team at the Adult ADHD Centre look forward to working with the Employer Engagement Specialists and other staff at WorkBC again. For Dr. Gurdeep Parhar, "organizations like WorkBC are great because [they] are helping people with different abilities be matched with employers."

October is ADHD Awareness Month – click here to learn more. For more resources and to connect with the Adult ADHD Centre, click here.

CLIENT SUCCESS STORY

Roberta’s story: 
“I'm very grateful to have this opportunity to work with folks who have a deep understanding of how my ADHD brain works and encourage me to lean into my strengths”

I'm deaf in my left ear and have limited hearing in my right ear, so communication has been very difficult during the pandemic with most people wearing masks. In addition, I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2021. I can't work in open spaces or noisy office environments. As a mature woman, I also faced ageism in the hiring process.

I was let go from my full-time job at a non-profit in early 2020 then had a few small contracts here and there, but it was a long process. I was looking for work for about two years. I originally reached out to WorkBC to find support for new assistive technology (hearing aids), then connected with a case manager who helped me with my resume. Once I got to know the team at WorkBC, I realized how many great support programs are available.

I was approved for new hearing aids that function better while wearing a mask through WorkBC’s Assistive Technology Services (ATS). I also found out about the Wage Subsidy Program offered by WorkBC, and I realized that it could be an amazing opportunity to work with my current employer (Adult ADHD Centre) and learn new skills along the way within a supportive work environment.

Currently, everything is going well at the Adult ADHD Centre. I'm learning so much. Gurdeep and Anita [Medical Director and Educational Director at the Adult ADHD Centre] are very supportive as I get up to speed learning their website and various communications. We usually meet weekly, and the feedback I'm getting is positive. He [Gurdeep] even called me a surprise ambassador for the Centre recently after I interviewed one of their peers for a blog post.

I'm looking forward to creating more valuable content and leaning into some in-person events this fall. Overall, I'm very grateful to have this opportunity to work with folks who have a deep understanding of how my ADHD brain works and encourage me to lean into my strengths.

HOT JOBS

Counter/Warehouse
City Electric Supply
View posting
 

Delivery Driver, Warehouse Associate, Automotive Mechanic, Package Handler, and more
UPS 
View postings
 

Electrical Designer (Engineer-in-Training)
AES Engineering 
View posting
 

Research Project Coordinator
CRC Research Inc
View posting


Sales Assistant, Sales Operations Coordinator
Ledingham McAllister Properties Ltd.
Please contact your Employment Specialist for more information

CONNECT WITH US

Vancouver Midtown East WorkBC Centre
110 East 3rd Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5T 1C8
604-829-2300
info-vancouvermidtown-east@workbc.ca
https://www.workbccentre-vancouvermidtown-east.ca/

Vancouver Midtown West WorkBC Centre
300-2150 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6K 4L9
604-688-4666
info-vancouvermidtown-west@workbc.ca
https://www.workbccentre-vancouvermidtown-west.ca