When the Employment Program of BC’s wage-subsidy coordinator brings a job seeker and an employer together, all parties involved reap benefits. Offered in Powell River through Career Link, a wage subsidy helps unemployed people who need training connect with full-time work.
“It’s a win-win-win situation,” says Peter Harvey, coordinator of employer services at Career Link. “It’s a win for the employer because they are compensated for time spent bringing someone up to speed, and also for the employee when they end up with a job they otherwise wouldn’t have due to lack of experience.”
For staff at Career Link, making the placement is the third win, says Harvey.
To enter the program, employers must have a position open that requires a minimum of 35 hours of work per week. To alleviate a perception that, since it is government-related, the program probably includes a lot of paperwork, Harvey assures employers he will lend a hand to complete the application.
“We help employers through the whole process, including the training plan,” explains Harvey. “We are here to help make it easier for everyone involved.”
Pacific Point Market owner Tod English and general manager Chris McMillan have used wage-subsidy services on four occasions.
“It’s very beneficial, not only for new employees but especially to businesses,” says English. “Career Link’s staff is great at helping you follow the steps along the way.”
The company hired Adam Romagnoli, its most recent on-the-job-training “graduate,” last June.
“Adam has been a great employee and seems to really enjoy his role,” says English. “We are fortunate to be able to take advantage of this program.”
Job seekers wishing to access wage-subsidy services must have received employment insurance (EI) benefits at some point during the last three years, or within five years for EI parental benefits. Career Link can also offer a wage subsidy to an employer hiring a youth who has attended post-secondary schooling and has never collected EI.
“Initially, all they need to do is contact me for more information; I can help steer the process from there,” says Harvey. “If the wage subsidy makes sense for them and they meet the requirements, they are given a letter confirming their eligibility.”
When applying for jobs, prospective employees can then include that letter with a resumé, which informs the employer of their status.
“Quite often employers come in knowing who they want to hire and to find out if that person is eligible for the wage subsidy,” explains Harvey. “If eligible, we determine what that person brings to the table and start them on a training plan.”
Training plans are created based on each applicant’s previous experience and take into account how much teaching is required.
“We look at the training plan and resumé of the person involved and figure out how big the gap is,” says Harvey. “Finding which skills they need to learn to do the job is part of the process.”
Depending on the job, employees might spend from two to six months training. “If they have previous experience in a similar area, they will probably pick up the training more quickly,” says Harvey. “That helps determine the subsidy period length.”
For anyone not a current Career Link client, a meeting with an employment counsellor will determine if the wage subsidy is right for them, or if other available services are a better fit.
“We want everyone to know about our wage-subsidy services and that they may be eligible,” says Harvey. “All it takes to start the process is a phone call to set up an appointment.”
More information is available at careerlinkbc.com, including a wage-subsidy FAQ section, under Employers: Wage Subsidy.
In addition to an online job board, Career Link offers several services and workshops for job seekers, including employment counselling, career planning, resume formatting and job searching.
“The job board is just a portion of what we provide,” says Harvey. “Workshops and other services are free and help people who are looking for work.”
For more details, call 604.485.7958, email peter@careerlinkbc.com or drop by 103-4511 Marine Avenue.
