British Columbia
Work is a central part of our lives. It consumes more than half our waking hours, provides for our families, uses our gifts and defines our place in the community.
With the rise of globalization and rapid changes in technology, the world of work is changing in dramatic ways that challenge our place in the world of work.
Today, only 60% of the workforce in Canada have full time permanent jobs that will last more than one year. The other 40% are short term, part time, or self-employed.
The purpose of the Employment Development department is to help people and communities toward economic self-reliance by empowering them to discover their gifts, develop their abilities, and find sustainable work.
Highlights of 1998/99
- TRAINING WORKS provided job search assistance and on-the-job training to help over 640 people make the transition from welfare to work in the Fraser Valley.
- ECOWORKS provided work experience and skill training to over 173 unemployed young people and unemployed foresters in environmentally positive projects in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
- ABOVE THE UNDERGROUND is a retail store that provided work experience and skill development in retail operations and customer service for 36 unemployed youth in Abbotsford.
- PASSPORT CAFÉ provided career development and job search resources to over 3,000 people applying for or receiving welfare in the Abbotsford area.
- EMPLOYMENT MENTORING is a church based program under development this past year that will develop mentors to assist job seekers within their churches or communities.
- COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is a new focus under development this past year that helps empower marginalized groups overcome unemployment through creative entrepreneurship.
Wayne Bremner, Director of Employment Development
Wayne Bremner has begun a new position with MCC BC as Director of Programs and Personnel.
For more information about Employment Development you can contact John Dawson at (604) 850-6639, 857-0011 toll free from Vancouver or 1-888-622-6337 or check out their website at www.employment.mccbc.com (coming soon).
