Access To Employment

Suite 280 – 1855 Kirschner Road Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 4N7 Telephone: (250) 861-8602 Toll Free: 1-888-861-8602 Fax: (250) 861-7808 Email: accesstoemployment@telus.net

To be eligible for our program, individuals identify themselves as having a permanent physical, mental, cognitive or sensory disability which is a barrier to entering or re-entering the workforce, but who are otherwise ready for work. In addition, participants in Access To Employment are currently unemployed (working less than 20 hours per week) and are legally entitled to work in Canada.

Access To Employment services are available regardless of an individual's funding source or status. For example, clients may be on Employment Insurance, have Reach-Back status, or no EI eligibility. They may be receiving disability benefits through the Province, the Canada Pension Plan, private insurance, or not at all.

Our services are free for eligible individuals, and are funded by the Ministry of Housing and Social Development.

Services offered by Access To Employment include:

• Job Search Techniques
• Resource Centre: computers, fax, telephone, newspapers, etc.
• Providing Labour Market Information and employment leads
• Job Development / Job Coaching
• Career Counseling
• Educational Counseling
• Vocational Assessments
• Assistance with acquiring educational funding
• Assistance with acquiring funding for work accommodations
• Assistance accessing wage subsidies
• Communication Facilitation / Interpreting Services

 

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities is maintained by the Government of Canada to assist persons with disabilities who are not eligible for Employment Insurance benefits to acquire and develop skills and experience. In the Central and North Okanagan, the Opportunities Fund is administered by Access To Employment by contract with the Ministry of Housing and Social Development.

Activities supported by the Opportunities Fund include:

 

• Encouraging employers to provide training and employment opportunities by subsidizing wages, education and workplace accommodations
• Facilitating the acquisition of new skills for individuals by funding education and training
• Providing individualized services and supports at the workplace to support integration and success in employment

 

"Access To Employment has been crucial in developing a career for me. They offered a compassionate and understanding approach in directing me through the barriers. I now have something that enables me to make a much better contribution to my community and fulfills me personally. I will be forever grateful. Thank you, Access To Employment." -Jennifer, Client