A disabled person in a wheelchair and the employer. (Photo 103254584 © Prazis | Dreamstime.com)

By Vernon Matters Staff

Work BC Vernon

Untapped labour market can help businesses grow

Nov 2, 2022 | 10:00 AM

There’s an untapped market for North Okanagan businesses looking for creative solutions to the national labour shortage — and it’s a workforce full of reliable and capable workers who reward the chance to work with loyalty.

That’s the message of WorkBC Vernon as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

“There’s an opportunity to engage in the workforce in a way that wasn’t possible before. This really is an untapped labour pool for our local businesses,” Kim Lauritsen, employment services manager at Vernon’s WorkBC Centre, said. “We have people who have amazing skill sets that just maybe need a slight change in traditional employment, and we want employers to know we’re here to help support that.”

The Vernon WorkBC Centre is dedicated to helping employers find the right talent to grow their business while also helping people find jobs, explore their career options and improve their skills.

WorkBC Employment Services advisors strive to connect people with disabilities to jobs where they can thrive. Advisors work with clients to identify their skills and offer workshops and on-the-job training support. After building a profile, the advisors work with local employers to find the right fit.

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That was the path to employment for JK, and now she’s thriving at Farm Bound with the help of WorkBC Employment Services Advisors Jerry Ward and Celena Sandaker.

“JK is such a great person and really cares about her job,” Jaye Siegmueller, CEO of Farm Bound, said. “She goes out of her way to do extra little things for her coworkers.”

WorkBC Employment Services provide specialized services for people with disabilities to help reduce or remove the impact of disability-related employment barriers. The services are designed to meet job seekers where they’re at in life.

“We work with people to explore their skill set and understand their goals,” Lauritsen explained. “And we’re there to support them in not just finding but maintaining a job. We also work directly with the employer to make sure everyone has the support they need.”

For Harl Rowe, who started working at FreshCo in 2021 with the help of WorkBC Employment Services and Kindale, that meant monthly check-ins with advisors Ward and Sandaker.

“Because of FreshCo, because of WorkBC and Jerry and Celena, I know there are people there, even though I operate during the hours when everyone is asleep,” Rowe, who quickly grew into an overnight shift lead position with FreshCo, said.

One in five Canadians aged 15 years and over have a disability. And while some are visible, many hidden disabilities are never disclosed.

“We want everyone to feel comfortable at work,” Lauritsen said. “That’s why our services can really be tailored to each person’s individual needs.”

WorkBC Employment Services are available to people at all stages of employment, whether they’re looking for their first job, a new job or for support to stay in a job they love.

“We hope that, when someone is changing jobs or moving forwards in life, WorkBC Employment Services can help them transfer or get additional support in their current role so they can stay in a position if it’s a good fit,” Lauritsen said.

For Karrie Würmann, all it took was a creating checklist with her employer, Station BBQ Smokehouse, to manage her anxiety and succeed at work.

“We have really good communication,” Tanya Wisse, the co-owner of Station BBQ Smokehouse said. “During Karrie’s training period, I would explain to her how I wanted everything organized and I would never have to say it twice. Karrie would remind me what needed to be prepared or when the sauce caddies needed to be cleaned. She always has a running checklist of things that needed to be done that were beyond the scope of what I told her.”

Students with disabilities in the last year of high school or post-secondary education can also reach out to the Vernon WorkBC Centre to get started on finding a job that’s just right.

WorkBC Employment Services are delivered in the North Okanagan by community-based not-for-profit organizations.

“We pride ourselves on our ability to work collaboratively as a whole region to really help an individual,” Lauritsen said.

The main office of WorkBC Centre Vernon is at 3105 33 Street, Vernon and Work BC Centre Enderby is at 904 Maud Street, Enderby.

The Vernon Work BC Centre also has outreach services through six different local not-for-profit organizations.

For more details, visit WorkBC Vernon online or call the office at 250-545-2215 for more information.