Not everyone wants to go to university; some young people have dreams of working in their community with a career path in service, retail, or the trades. Avia Employment Services provides the WorkBC program in Richmond, giving young people a chance at finding their dream job at no cost.
"There are many skills training programs specifically targeted for young people; Avia can help you to find the best fit for your career goals" says Lonnie Belfer, Industry & Community Liaison Officer with Avia Employment Services. "We do a lot of work with the Richmond School District to share our programs and ensure that we adapt them to make them more appealing to young people."
Avia has a specialist case manager that works individually with young people to sharpen their resumes, assist with advice on interviews, and help them apply for training subsidies, wage subsidies, and other relevant services.
"We often have young people who have been employed during their time in high school," says Lonnie. "They may have collected EI in the past, so may be eligible to access EI training subsidies, or other financial assistance. Our case manager works one-to-one with them to help them get on the path to their dream job."
While the WorkBC youth program dictates that you cannot access services while you are a full-time student, it's possible to start the process when there's just a month or two before high school ends.
"Our case managers can also help with career counselling," Lonnie notes, "Perhaps you don't really know what you want to do with your life. Avia helps assess your strengths and skills, and we can suggest possible career paths. We offer workshops on how to make a great impression at an interview, and we make sure you have a sharp resume and cover letter."
Because Avia Employment Services provides the government-funded WorkBC program, there's no cost involved.
"All our services," Lonnie reiterates, "are free to both job seekers and employers."
For more information on Avia Employment Services and its services for youth, call 778.732.0285, email, visit the website, or stop by one of the Avia locations at #290 – 3631 No. 3 Road, Richmond, or #110-6651 Elmbridge Way, Richmond. Avia can also be found on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
