The Future of WorkBC
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*Note: Provincial engagement with First Nations and Indigenous Organizations on Employment Services and Skills Training will be held in Fall.
Overview
Dates: July 3, 2025 to July 31, 2025
Who: The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
What: A new model for B.C.’s WorkBC employment services
Where: Province-wide
Why: Gather public input to help shape B.C.’s future WorkBC employment services
How: Online survey, virtual information sessions
Current state
WorkBC serves over 100,000 people each year through 102 community-based centres. Through these centres, people access guided, personalized support in-person and virtually. These include:
- Employment planning
- Resume and interview preparation
- Skills training
- Job search
- Work experience
- Financial assistance for transportation, childcare, and work supplies
WorkBC also helps employers find skilled workers and build inclusive workplaces.
Drivers for change
Since the current WorkBC program launched in 2019, the labour market has shifted, and people’s needs and expectations for employment services have evolved. While some people thrive with guided one-to-one support to prepare for, find, and keep a good job, we recognize that other people have different needs. Some people want to go online and access employment services independently, while others need more intensive support to become job ready.
Importantly, we see people’s needs evolve over time as they work through their journey to employment. We need a system that’s flexible enough to respond, helping people connect seamlessly to the right services and supports as their needs change.
Future vision
B.C. is working to expand upon the current WorkBC program to offer more choice and tailored support to meet people’s individual needs. This flexible employment service model will support a range of needs, pathways, and employment goals. In the future, WorkBC will offer three different employment service stream options that are fully integrated with each other – all part of the same WorkBC system. People can start their WorkBC journey in any part of the system, accessing services that best meet their needs at that time.
As their needs change, they can move seamlessly to access services in the other streams. People might even be accessing services in different service streams at the same time, if that’s the best way to help them move toward getting a good job.
Below is a closer look at what this experience might be like. We invite your comments through our online survey to help us continue to shape our new system.
Self-directed WorkBC services online
No matter where people are in the province, they can access the same mobile-friendly online services.
Job seekers can find information about job opportunities and take self-assessments to determine their readiness to take on those roles. Online tools help people improve resume and cover letters, while a job matching tool can help people match their skills and credentials with openings. Then, to get ready to meet employers, virtual training and interactive online workshops help people prepare for interviews.
To apply for additional supports like job skills training or funding for transportation, childcare, or work supplies, people would create an online account. In that account, they find a personalized dashboard that organizes their goals, actions, and steps they need to take to find a job. Notifications flag any learning courses that are open or in progress and job postings of interest. At any point, job seekers can reach out for support, including to connect with a person for one-to-one guidance.
Once in a job, people can continue to access the online system and tools to keep moving along their career path.
WorkBC centre services
Getting support through a WorkBC centre, in-person or virtually, helps job seekers feel welcome and inspired. Registration is easy. Here, one-to-one personalized support helps people to understand the opportunities available, to assess their interests and strengths, and to guide them on the best path to a job. Services continue to include career planning, resume and interview preparation, skills training, and work experience, along with financial assistance.
Job seekers set the pace as they get help overcoming challenges they may have faced in the past. This may include referrals to additional resources and community supports like immigrant services, mental health, or substance use services.
Because the full WorkBC system offers more service options – for people who want to work online and others who need specialized services – people accessing supports through centres will get more timely access and individualized support. People receiving services through centres also have the added flexibility and convenience of using the new online services and tools (described above).
WorkBC employment readiness outreach services
For many people facing complex challenges, including mental health, substance use, or homelessness, a job may not seem possible. WorkBC believes that, with the right specialized supports, youth and other people facing complex challenges can build brighter futures – connecting with their communities, becoming job ready, and securing part- or full-time jobs.
WorkBC outreach counsellors and peer champions take a trauma-informed approach to help people become job ready. People get help setting job-related goals at their own pace. This happens in locations where people feel safe and comfortable. This could be in an employment centre, a coffee shop, another support organization, or at home.
Employment services like workshops, peer-mentoring, resume building, volunteer or paid work placements help people build confidence and skills that prepare them for work. Throughout the journey, referrals to wrap-around supports help to address any housing, health, financial, family, or safety needs.
Here as well, people have the added flexibility of incorporating WorkBC online services into their personalized program. They are supported to seamlessly progress to other levels of employment service programming as they become ready.
How your contribution makes a difference
We want your feedback. This next phase of engagement seeks input from job seekers, service providers, employers, and community members to refine a new service model and ensure it meets the diverse needs of British Columbians. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of employment services in B.C.
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