Thursday July 9, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted 10 am | Updated 7:48 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
People are invited to help shape future of WorkBC — that’s the lead from a news release from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction on July 3.
The Province is expanding their employment services as provided by WorkBC centres to offer more choice and tailored support to meet people’s individual needs as well as helping more B.C. job seekers get jobs.
Revision of WorkBC might be off-kilter:
The new model seems to lean to more online services. But it’s unclear how much the realities of gig-work and chronic unemployment factor into the new model. Gen-Z adults don’t see ‘regular jobs’ as the mainstay structure of their lives anymore. Or course they need income but heading to corporate or other 9 to 5 employment is no longer the way of their world.
In that context, The Province may need to rethink their approach to WorkBC in ways that are more than shifting their own employees’ jobs onto web portals.
What does WorkBC do?
WorkBC reportedly helps more than 100,000 people each year through 102 centres. Services include career planning, skills training, job-search support and financial assistance.
“As the labour market changes, people’s needs and expectations for how they access provincial employment services are evolving,” the Ministry says.
New model:
The new model has three coordinating service options:
- self-directed,
- in-office services, and
- employment-readiness outreach.
The new model aims to ‘meet people where they are’ on their employment journey, offering services and supports that will be most effective for them.
Some of that work has in the past involved direct work with employers. It’s not clear whether that is part of the model going forward.
Job search online:
Currently WorkBC offers an online interface for job searches.
Results can be refined by using keywords and selecting Job Title, Job Description and/or Employer. Or perform a direct search by entering the Job Number.
Public input to July 31, 2025:
To shape the future of WorkBC services and supports, the Province is inviting input on their new WorkBC delivery model.
They hope to hear from job seekers, employers, service providers and community members through a province-wide WorkBC engagement survey available online to July 31, 2025 (to 4 pm).
The survey is different for job seekers vs employers. It may take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete depending on how much additional comment the participant provides.
Feedback, submitted through the online survey or during a live engagement session, will help build a more timely, inclusive and person-centered system.
Poverty reduction strategy:
Improving employment services is part of British Columbia’s 2024 Poverty Reduction Strategy goal of enhancing programs for all, including those facing multiple and complex barriers.
The ministry’s goal is to build a stronger WorkBC system that is “flexible, inclusive and supports a range of needs, pathways and employment goals”.
WorkBC is funded through the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Development Agreement.
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NEWS SECTIONS: JOBS & EMPLOYMENT | SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND