A lot has changed in the 40 years since WorkLink first opened its doors in the West Shore.
It was 1978 – before email, internet and social media, even before cell phones – and knowledgeable employment counsellors were on hand helping job-seekers fine-tune their skills, connect with employment opportunities and access programs to help them be successful. While technology has changed our lives dramatically in those four decades, WorkLink’s commitment to local job-seekers remains the same!
Join the celebration
This year, WorkLink, which in April 2012 also become one of the 73 WorkBC Employment Service Centres in BC, marks 40 years of providing free employment services to the West Shore.
Two celebrations are planned – from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 5 in Sooke and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 12 in the West Shore – and the community is invited!
Come by for free hotdogs and drinks, enjoy face painting, prizes and entertainment, and learn about expanded free employment services, says Barb McLean, noting that even those who are working may be eligible to use their services, depending on their situation.
Full spectrum of employment services
Whether you’re just entering the workforce or find yourself looking for a new position after decades in one career, WorkLink can help.
“We offer the full-spectrum of employment services,” McLean says, noting the positions they support are also across the spectrum.
“There’s the perception that WorkLink is only about entry-level positions, but we work with everyone, from youth starting out to experienced professionals,” she says.
Often someone may be an expert in their field, but may not know how to apply for jobs online for example, or how to turn volunteer experience into marketable skills. Workshops and seminars show job-seekers how to explore their career options, tap into the hidden job market and more.
A profound impact
One-on-one support is vital. Employment counsellors can also help clients access initiatives such as B.C.’s wage subsidy program, where the government supports part of a new employee’s wages to encourage businesses to hire job seekers that don’t currently have necessary training, or provide access to gas funds or bus tickets to get them started at a new job, McLean says.
“If there’s a barrier to you getting work, we can address that.”
Reflecting on how many people the West Shore counsellors have helped and supported over the last four decades, “it’s profound,” McLean says. “One of the most important things in life is our job, so to be able to help people with that is just wonderful.”
For more details, call 250-478-9525, visit worklink.bc.ca, email info@worklink.bc.ca or stop by anytime!