Come April, the big job board at WorkLink will still be layered with dozens of help-wanted ads, all offering hope of gainful employment or a fresh career.
But behind the scenes, the West ShoreB次元官网网址檚 main employment centre will be in transition, if not mild turmoil, as it works out the operational kinks under a new provincial funding model.
WorkLink is one of several dozen agencies in B.C. awarded a provincial employment assistance contract in December, a major victory for the 33-year Colwood-based service.
The new funding plan consolidates some 400 employment service providers under the umbrella of 73 geographically-organized outfits B次元官网网址� WorkLinkB次元官网网址檚 catchment covers the West Shore to Port Renfrew.
B次元官网网址淲e feel fortunate we got the contract,B次元官网网址� said Jennifer De Luca, executive director of the non-profit WorkLink Employment Society. B次元官网网址淚f we hadnB次元官网网址檛 bid or hadnB次元官网网址檛 got the contract, we would close.B次元官网网址�
Indeed, employment organizations such as Spectrum Job Search in downtown Victoria will be replaced. GT Hiring Solutions was awarded the contract for five areas in B.C., including Victoria and Saanich. Beacon Community Services will manage employment assistance for the Saanich Peninsula.
For WorkLink, the contract means its budget is tripled to about $3.3 million per year, but about one quarter of that will flow to 12 subcontractor social service agencies, such as Victoria Disability Resource Centre, Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre, the John Howard Society and PEERS.
B次元官网网址淚f a client living in Langford needs immigrant services, we send them to that and help fund that organization,B次元官网网址� De Luca said. B次元官网网址淥ur funding includes a lot of money to fund everyone else.
B次元官网网址淔or our clients though there should be very little difference. WeB次元官网网址檒l still be here to help with employment counselling, with the resource centre,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f someone needs a job, we will determine the services needed to get a job.B次元官网网址�
They key change for WorkLink is shifting to a B次元官网网址渇ee for serviceB次元官网网址� model instead of block funding, meaning the society gets paid for each service rendered, such as building a resume, job training and career planning. Some clients might need a few hundred dollars worth of employment assistance, some might need multiple programs worth thousands.
B次元官网网址淔unding could help pay for tuition, and a living allowance and job retraining,B次元官网网址� said Janice Booth, assistant director of WorkLink. B次元官网网址淔or some people it could be $1,000 per month. So $3.3 million doesnB次元官网网址檛 go that far.B次元官网网址�
De Luca said this contract is risky for the society, as it remains unclear if it will cover costs for the expected 1,800 clients per year. In April, WorkLink will likely layoff some of their 36 staff as a consequence of the new model, as the workload is spread to the other 12 sub-agencies.
B次元官网网址淥ur board of directors thought long and hard (about seeking the contract). ItB次元官网网址檚 much risker for us, but they believe in this place and the staff we have,B次元官网网址� De Luca said.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been in business a long time and we will continue to provide good services. We wonB次元官网网址檛 cut corners. The organization has a value system that wonB次元官网网址檛 change.B次元官网网址�
The new funding model has potential drawbacks, but it does allow for a more direct financial support for clients, such as money for work gear. B次元官网网址淚f they need work boots, we can do that. In some ways thereB次元官网网址檚 more financial support,B次元官网网址� De Luca said. B次元官网网址淲e can do bus tickets and job start up money.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 happy we got the contract. We worked like dogs to get it. I havenB次元官网网址檛 been more worried in 25 years,B次元官网网址� Booth said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 happy itB次元官网网址檚 all over. Now we just have to implement it.B次元官网网址�
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
