East Kootenay

This program helps job seekers access resources, skills, supports and connections with employers.

Job seekers can access self-serve services for their employment-related needs including:

• Job boards and job search resources
• Employment counsellor
• Printing, scanning and faxing services
• Resource library and Employment tools

Other programs Include:

Advance: A lead program that offers personalized upskilling opportunities tailored to individuals aiming for better career prospects, with a curriculum that aligns with specific work goals. Participants will embark on a structured journey, including goal setting, customized training plans, hands-on work experience, and progress measurement.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be an adult not currently enrolled in full-time school.
• The program is designed for individuals who are already employed (including self-employed) and seeking career advancement within their existing workplace or looking to transition to a new field or workplace.
• You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have been granted refugee status in Canada.
• You must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• You should identify as having a permanent or recurring disability (physical, mental, neurodevelopmental, or other) that restricts your ability to perform regular activities.

Connect: The program has been developed to assist members of our community who have multiple barriers to employment. The program is a cohort-based sessions, up to a total of 8 weeks in length, development of a training plan, and short courses from institutions like College of the Rockies. Benefits include: Personalized employment plans, Holistic support for unique needs, Cohort-based sessions (Up to 8 weeks), Training plan development & short courses from top institutions, Comprehensive pre-employment services (Including skills assessments, workshops, and more), Food support, counseling, job coaching and Job search.

Eligibility Requirement:

• Living in British Columbia
• Not receiving duplicative financial support from another provincially or federally funded labor market program, though maybe receiving complementary, non-duplicative financial support from other programs such as WorkBC, that enable or enhance program participation
• Unemployed or precariously employed
• Individual who can self-identify as facing two or more of the following barriers to employment;
• Housing instability
• Recovering from addiction
• Prior criminal justice involvement
• Mental health challenges
• Lack of recent and/or Canadian work experience
• Lack of basic employment skills
• Limited literacy, financial literacy, or digital literacy skills
• Limited English language skills
• Having less than a grade 12 education
• Being a: Visible minority, recent immigrant, refugee, or Young adult at risk, or Older worker, or Survivor of violence and/or abuse, Person with a disability and Belonging to/or being impacted by plural marriage.

Create: The program offers personalized training plans from a few days up to 8 weeks and opens a world of creative expression through in-person workshops with local artists. It helps to equip indivicials with essential life and job skills through employment workshops, Learn the art of resume building, time management, networking, and much more. Participants could receive up to $20 per hour in financial support during your time in the program. Plus, receive certifications in First Aid, Food Safe, Serving It Right, and Superhost.

Eligibility Requirement:

• Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
• Living in BC
• Not enrolled full time in high school or post-secondary training
• Unemployed or precariously employed
• Between 16 and 29 years of age
• Seeking employment

Offices are open Monday to Friday. For locations and more information, please call or visit KES.