WorkLink is celebrating 40 years of helping local residents and to mark that milestone theyB次元官网网址檙e hosting a celebration in hopes of meeting even more community members while visiting with those theyB次元官网网址檝e helped along the way. And theyB次元官网网址檝e helped a lot of people along the way.
B次元官网网址淲orkLink started with three employees in 1978 and now we have 40,B次元官网网址� said Barbara McLean, community co-ordinator. B次元官网网址淭hroughout our history our focus has been on finding people employment. ThereB次元官网网址檚 just so many ways to do that.B次元官网网址�
While contracted by Work B.C., WorkLink is not a government organization. It provides employment and pre-employment services for all members of the community.
A common misconception the organization is hoping to break is that WorkLinkB次元官网网址檚 services are only for a specific demographic in the community. While not everyone qualifies for all of the services offered by WorkLink, there are some that are available to everyone, whether employed or not. Eligibility for other services has also been expanded.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 quite a broad spectrum of services and itB次元官网网址檚 not just for entry level jobs B次元官网网址� ThereB次元官网网址檚 so much to it,B次元官网网址� McLean said, adding they have even seen clients with doctorates.
Some of the services offered include a resource centre, job search, career planning, case management and a number of programs and workshops.
B次元官网网址淓verything we do is free,B次元官网网址� said Jo Zlotnik, client services manager. B次元官网网址淲e try to help them to the next rung B次元官网网址� It can be heartbreaking and exhilarating all in the same day B次元官网网址� seeing people in their most vulnerable to them landing a high paying job, thatB次元官网网址檚 a right fit.B次元官网网址�
Finding a job thatB次元官网网址檚 the right fit is key. As Greater Victoria is such an expensive place to live, McLean said they take a holistic approach to make sure clients are happy and their financial needs are being met.
WorkLink recently helped a local single mother in her early 30s. Josh McKenzie, a disabilities case manager, said the woman came to them looking to find a job that would also support her two children.
After doing some career exploration to determine what field would be a good fit as well as some work to identify her learning disability and how to manage it, they determined she would like to pursue a position as a medical office assistant. McKenzie was able to get her 10-month training program sponsored, as well as funding for daycare while she was in school. When she completed her training, she came back to WorkLink and they were able to find her a job within two months and get her first year of daycare covered.
B次元官网网址淎t one point she told me itB次元官网网址檚 more money than sheB次元官网网址檚 made in her entire life,B次元官网网址� McKenzie said. B次元官网网址淚t was a real success.B次元官网网址�
WorkLink also helps residents get past any barriers that may be preventing them from landing the right job, whether thatB次元官网网址檚 something as simple as writing a resume or helping them access funding for training or referrals for help with more complex underlying traumas. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l find a way to help them over those small barriers that prevent them from finding a job,B次元官网网址� Zlotnik said, adding they can even help with clothing or gas to get to a job interview.
Community members looking to learn more can meet the team next Thursday, July 12. The big 40th anniversary celebration gets underway from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Jacklin Road office in Langford, 202-3179 Jacklin Rd. There will be lots of prizes, games, entertainment, face painting and a free barbecue lunch (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e seen the parents and then the kids and now the grandkids. The 40th is so important to us because we are apart of the community,B次元官网网址� Zlotnik said.
For more details about the event or WorkLinkB次元官网网址檚 services, call 250-478-9525 or email info@worklink.bc.ca.
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