Employment Services and Resource Centre

Employment Options is designed to provide help to individuals needing assistance and support finding work.

Supportive, knowledgeable counsellors will work with you to attain your employment goals. Employment Options works in partnership with other community employment services and will provide effective guidance through your process of entering the workforce.

This program can provide career and employment counselling and assist you in determining your work abilities and preferences. Employment counsellors will work with you 'one-on-one' in creating a plan of action based on your individual needs for your successful job search.

Services are available without cost to all unemployed residents of the North Okanagan that are legally entitled to work in Canada and are seeking employment. Employment Options is a division of Community Futures North Okanagan.

Community Futures North Okanagan: 2nd Floor, #3105 - 33rd Street, Downtown Vernon
Call 545-2215 ext. 219 for an appointment, or drop into the Resource Centre anytime Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

The Employment Options Resource Centre provides job seekers with access to:

• telephone and faxing
• printing and photocopying
• computers and internet
• résumé and cover letter help
• upgrade your computer skills
• a job posting board and information

... along with helpful assistance from staff to support your job search.
1st Floor, #3105 - 33rd Street, Downtown Vernon. Drop in anytime. Monday to Friday from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Phone: 545-2215 ext. 230

Connections Career Centre
Connections Career Centre is a division of Community Futures North Okanagan. Connections Career Centre provides information, leadership and direction for today's youth ages 15-30. The goal is to enable youth to take steps forward to obtain viable employment. Resources include monthly feature industry presentations, job board, computer workstations equipped with résumé builder software, career research tools and internet access. The library is full of resources on job search, career/education, small business and trades. In partnership with Industry Canada, Connections has 3 public access computers as part of the Community Access Program.

• Client services: photocopying, phone, drop-in for résumé & job search help, job search support, skill development information, employment and career assistance, self-employment info and community employment referral services.
• Employer services: free job postings, temporary work program, wage subsidy info, and interview space.

For more information & services, visit Connections at 3309C - 31 Avenue, Downtown Vernon
Phone: 545-5705.
Drop in anytime. Monday to Friday from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (except 10:00 am Wednesdays).

TRADES WORK!
If you're between the ages of 17 and 24 and wish to work in a trade and become independent and self-reliant, the TRADES WORK! program is set up help achieve those goals.

TRADES WORK! is designed to improve communication, problem solving, critical thinking and interview skills. The program prepares the participants to meet the expectations of employers in the field of Trades. Participants enter into a 15 week work practicum, with performance evaluations done during the work placement to build sound employability skills. After participants have completed the TRADES WORK! skills program, a job search is conducted with support from the TRADES WORK! job placement coordinator.

Employers interested in finding workers or who think an employee may benefit from this program, may also contact Connections Career Centre at 545-5705 for more information.

JobWave™
CF works in partnership with WCG International Consultants Ltd. and the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance to offer the JobWave™ program to the community. JobWave™ is a provincial employment program designed to help skilled BC employees get back into the labour force.

The JobWave™ program is made up of orientation, placement services and touchback sessions, as well as workshops on helpful job search techniques and information on employment and the labour force.

JobWave™ aims to connect the right employees and employers and to help those involved to become independent.

Bridges
The Bridges program is a 16 week course designed to help women create positive change in their lives through a focus on: life management skills, career exploration, and educational planning. A lead instructor teaches life skills and provides counseling support for each student from start to graduation. Bridges is open to women of all ages and is funded by the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance. The focus of Bridges is to create a goal plan that fits for each individual - which may include going back to work or school, volunteering or working on personal issues.

The Bridges program is presented twice a year (September and February) and classes are from 9:00am to 2:30pm Monday to Friday. For more information or an application form, please call 545-2215 ext. 223.