After a three year hiatus due to COVID-19, Hope WorkBC’s Inclusive Career & Hiring Event is back in Hope and ready to help employers and employees network.
The hiring fair is taking place at the Hope Recreation Conference Room on Mar. 16, from noon to 4 p.m. The event aids employers in connecting with the right people for their business, while also helping people find jobs, improving their skills, and exploring their different career options.
The fair is free and open to everyone in the public, including people of all ages and abilities.
“I think the most important thing about this event is that it’s an opportunity for employers and potential employees to network and engage with one another,” said Darla Dickinson one of WorkBC Centre Hope’s employment consultants in Hope. “A full range of service providers, as well as employers, will be there. And what’s great, because there’s going to be service providers, employers are also going to have a chance to network with them and understand the full range of services and programs and supports that are available for not just new employees, but for existing employees as well.
“There’s everything from, for example, if a client has targeted or a workplace limitation — whatever that may look like — [employers can learn about] workplace modifications that can take place and services and supports.”
Many of the services WorkBC provides are specialized to help reduce the impact of disability-related barriers. This includes providing ergonomic devices (such as hearing aids), additional training, and developing employment strategy plans that best suits a person’s needs. WorkBC’s services also allows employers to enhance their existing workforce by providing training — especially training to hire and accommodate disabled employees — and making aware of and taking advantage of existing job grants to help staff increase their long term potential.
For this year’s fair, according to Karen Scalise, Hope WorkBC’s centre manager, over 30 businesses and community services and organizations have committed to the fair. These services and organizations range from “local restaurants, private and public sectors including Fraser Health, Trans Mountain Pipeline, etc.” And, there’s still space in the fair for “any business or service that is need of employees or just want to showcase their services.”
Another benefit of the fair is that people not familiar with WorkBC will get a chance to ask questions and learn more about the services the employment agency offers. This includes offering/funding training opportunities worth up to $7,500 — such as helping someone gain a two-year diploma. And while everything is based on eligibility, Scalise said “there’s all sorts of programs and supports out there, from training, to wage subsidies, to self employment programs, available for us.”
”We’re kind of a hidden gem, in my opinion, in this town,” Scalise said. “We have so much to offer people. Nobody even realizes, in this town, what WorkBC can do. We offer knowledge not just for the employee, but for the employer too.”
Those interested in registering for the hiring fair can do so at InclusionHiringEventMar16.eventbrite.ca or visit their office located in the Free Rein Associates building.
Their hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Thursday, and 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., on Friday.
For more information, aside from visiting their website or dropping into their offices, people can also phone WorkBC Hope at 604-869-2279 or email them at info-hope@workbc.ca.
READ MORE: Free Reins Associates encouraging employers to re-think notions about disabilities
@KemoneMoodley
kemone.moodley@hopestandard.com
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