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VICTORIA – Income assistance clients in British Columbia will soon have a better chance of employment success. This follows the posting of a Request For Qualifications (RFQ) for private sector employment providers, non-profit community agencies and colleges to deliver a whole range of new employment services.
“We’ve seen major success in our employment programs, helping more than 43,000 income assistance clients into good jobs. As a result of this accomplishment, the profile of our caseload has changed considerably,” said Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond. “Now our caseload is made up of more people with identifiable barriers to employment, so we’re developing a new employment program that better suits their special needs – allowing them to successfully enter the workplace as they are able.”
The ministry’s new B.C. Employment Program will be a
single, streamlined system of
co-ordinated employment services. Through the new program, about 14,000 clients
a year, expected to work and able to participate in the workforce, will receive
the individual employment supports they need to succeed, including job
referrals and placement, workshops and supervised self-directed job searches.
This is not a program for clients with disabilities.
At a cost of more than $35 million a year, the B.C.
Employment Program will replace two existing programs – the Job Placement
Program and Training for Jobs. It will also include the employment components
of the ministry’s existing Community Assistance Program.
The $7.5-million Community Assistance Program will
remain a separate program, focused solely on offering more challenged clients
intensive basic life-skills services to enhance their quality of life and
prepare them to participate more fully in their community. An open and fair
procurement process for this program will begin in the spring with a formal
Request For Proposals.
The new B.C. Employment Program will be regionally
based, with ample opportunity for community employment agencies to provide
services, either as the prime contractor for the region or one of the many
sub-contracted community partners. The RFQ posting for this program follows
extensive consultation with clients, service providers and ministry staff on
existing employment programming, the publication of an outside consultant’s
evaluation of present programs, and a Request For Information eliciting
feedback on proposed new programming models.
The ministry’s total investment in employment programs is approximately $80 million this year, including employment programs for people expected to work, as well as specialized programs and supports for persons with disabilities and women who have faced violence and abuse.
The Request For Qualifications is found at BC Bid at www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca.
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Director of Communications 250 387-6489 |
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Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
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