Did you know that September is Disability Employment Month? In September 2014 the BC Government released Accessibility 2024, which is a 10 year action plan focused on making B.C.; “the most progressive place for people with disabilities in Canada by 2024”.

Here are some interesting facts about employment for people who identify as having a disability in B.C.:

• There are more than 546,000 people in B.C. over the age of 15, who identify as having a disability—that’s almost 15%.
• The employment rate for people with disabilities (aged 15 to 64 years) is 18 percentage points lower than for people without disabilities.
• On average, the total cost to accommodate an employee with a disability is under $500.
• Consumers with disabilities in Canada spend $25 billion a year and growing.
• Since April 2012, the Employment Program of BC and associated local WorkBC Employment Service Centres have helped nearly 8,000 people with disabilities reach their employment goals.
• Since 2012, more than $1.34 million has been spent assessing technology needs and providing assistive technology to almost 600 job seekers with disabilities through the Employment Program of BC.

Source: https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/creating-opportunities-disability-employment-month

 

Here at the Career Centre, as your WorkBC Employment Services Centre, we offer assistance to anyone who is looking for employment and is currently unemployed or working under 20 hours per week.  We can assist job seekers with diverseabilites and we also offer support to employers looking to hire.

We have programs and initiatives available to assist persons with diverseabilities reach their employment goals.

In addition, the Career Centre works with various service providers that provide support for persons with diversabilities including Vancouver Island Vocational and Rehabilitation Services (VIVRS) and Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre (IDHHC). Contact the Career Centre at 250.248.3205 or email info@careercentre.org for more information.

 

 

 

Tell us about your business/organization

Our business is about passion more than profit. We started each business (The Pie Factory and 2nd Chance Thrift store) to be able to provide on-the-job work experience for individuals with mental illness and brain injury who enter our training program – Workability. But we are also serious about making profit, to support our programs and run our businesses effectively. We have already won New Business of the Year from the Parksville Chamber of Commerce and we are well followed on Facebook. Check us out at Facebook.com/workabilitypiefactory or Facebook.com/2ndchancethrift. Join us! You could be a part of growing this social enterprise to a whole new level!

How many employees do you have?

3 full-time and 15 part-time employees.

What do you look for in a new employee?

Someone interested in being part of a not for profit/social enterprise and start up business.

What advice would you give someone who wants to work for your organization?

Tell us your story.

Do you anticipate hiring in the next 6 months? If so for what types of positions?

Yes two full time positions.

What is the best way for someone to apply if they are interested in working for your organization?

Send cover letter and resume to info@work-ability.ca

Job Shadowing

Are you looking for a new career but unclear on the direction you would like to go? Are you wanting to pursue a post-secondary education but not sure what career appeals to you? Job shadowing can be an excellent way to learn about a professional’s day-to-day responsibilities and decide whether their career appeals to you and aligns with your values and beliefs. It can also provide valuable opportunities to network with professionals in your chosen field.

A job shadowing experience allows you to explore a specific career of interest by observing an employee perform their work duties at their place of employment. The experience should provide realistic career information that will help you in making a career choice.

Job shadowing can provide enough information about the new and different job to alleviate fear of the unknown and to get a bigger picture of most of the requirements of the position. For example, I had a client who loved to spend time with seniors; she enjoyed listening to their stories and asking questions, organizing arts and crafts and helping them with chores. She was positive that being a Health Care Aide would be the perfect position for her! She met with a Health Care Aide at a senior’s facility, shadowed her for the day and realized that there were some aspects of the job she wasn’t sure she could do. One day of job shadowing helped with her career decision. This client is still in the helping field but in a different position.

Tips for a Successful Experience

Before you arrive for your job-shadowing experience, be clear on all the details. Be sure to confirm time to arrive, location, what to wear and anything else you may need to bring.

Do your research! Know as much about the company as possible. Jot down some notes and questions to ask. This will create a good impression, it will show initiative and help you learn more from the experience. At the end of the day shake hands, maintain eye contact, thank every person for their time and ask for their business cards. Sending them a personal thank you or email after you’re done shadowing can make a strong final impression.

You might have had a great job shadowing experience but realized that this is not the career for you. Stay positive and professional! You have made some great contacts.

 

Cabela’s in Nanaimo is hosting a job fair this Thursday July 27, 2017 from 10:00 am to 7:00pm. For more information and other job leads see this week’s hot sheet.