There were definitely challenging moments, but the encouragement from my employment counsellor kept me moving forward. I couldn't have reached this milestone without you!

After being laid off, I felt lost and uncertain about my future. For a while, I struggled with stress and didn’t know where to begin my career path. A friend recommended that I visited WorkBC Centre Whalley for support, and that decision made a big difference in my journey.

I arrived in Canada in 2024 as a permanent resident, motivated by the country’s strong reputation as a land of opportunity. During my first six months, I actively applied for jobs and attended numerous interviews; however, I was unable to secure employment. In December 2024, I connected with WorkBC Centre Whalley, which became a defining turning point in my journey.

Over the past year, I struggled to find another supervisor position, and it became a very stressful time for me and my family. My employment counsellor played a very important role in my journey. They supported me throughout the process and truly believed in my potential. With their help and the WorkBC Centre Whalley team, I was able to get my Class 1 driver’s license, something I never thought I could achieve on my own because of the financial cost. Today, I am proud to say that I have started a new career as a Class 1 truck driver. This opportunity has changed my life. I can now earn a better income, support my family, and feel confident about my future.

In October 2024, after being laid off from my last job, I felt overwhelmed, uncertain, and emotionally drained. Losing my job was not only a financial setback, but it also deeply affected my confidence and sense of direction.

I left university believing that my degree was my ticket in. I had spent years growing and honing both my hard and soft skills, and I was prepared to keep learning and developing in my field. I felt confident, capable, and ready to contribute.

When I was unemployed, I found the job application process very difficult due to my learning disability, which affects my reading and writing skills. Online applications and forms were especially challenging, and I often found job application apps less accessible than job board websites. I also experienced anxiety around interviews and the overall process, which impacted my confidence.

When I first connected with WorkBC Centre Whalley, I was struggling to find stable employment while adapting to my new life in Canada. Without Canadian credentials or specialized training, it was difficult to access better job opportunities. I knew that if I wanted to build a stronger career, I would need further education, but the cost and process felt overwhelming. That was when WorkBC became a turning point for me.

Thanks to the amazing WorkBC Centre Whalley team, I succeed again! I was confident, independent, and able to support myself through stable employment. Finding a job that fits my goals has made me feel proud and motivated to keep growing in my career.

I am thrilled to share that, with their support, I successfully transitioned from a general laborer to a healthcare aide. This transition not only represents a significant milestone in my career but also underscores the effectiveness of the services and supports provided by WorkBC Centre Whalley.

At the WorkBC Centre in Whalley, I received guidance on how to get my degree certified and the steps needed to become fully qualified in my field. They helped me strengthen my job search skills by enrolling me in various workshops and classes. I learned how to improve my job application materials, such as preparing and tailoring resumes and cover letters. I also gained confidence in my interview skills through learning new strategies taught by the staff members. My case manager also assisted me with obtaining a wage subsidy letter, which I used when applying for jobs. The wage subsidy program proved to be an extremely beneficial asset, as it made my application more attractive to potential employers. Additionally, my case manager reached out to a number of employers directly to inquire about open positions, actively supporting me throughout my job search journey.

As an immigrant, finding stable employment in Canada wasn’t an easy journey for me. I spent almost 17 months unemployed, applying to countless jobs without hearing back from any of the employers. It felt discouraging... he staff at WorkBC Centre Whalley provided me with incredible career guidance that helped me improve my job search skills... Thanks to their support, I’m now employed full-time as a customer service staff member with a crown corporation. The experience with WorkBC has been amazing.

I may not have much experience about teaching from back home, but I felt equipped because of the opportunity you gave me. Now, I have a better career and significantly improved income. You didn’t just provide us with assistance, you also provided me and my children a guiding light to have a better path in reaching our better future. Right now, there is a clearer view of how I want my career to expand in this field.

Thanks to WorkBC Centre Whalley, I went from a state of uncertainty and worry to a place of stability and hope. Their guidance was invaluable, and their support made all the difference in my journey. Today, I'm so glad I gave WorkBC a chance, as it proved to be the catalyst for the successful job search journey that changed my life forever.

After a period of unemployment due to my physical limitations, I turned to WorkBC for career planning guidance. With eight years of experience as a health care aide, I aimed to upgrade my skills and possibly continue in the health care industry, but I wasn’t sure where to start... WorkBC Centre Whalley provided me with personalized career counseling sessions with trained professionals who helped assess my skills and explore potential career paths. Additionally, they also funded my school training to become a Health Unit Coordinator.

After a month of joining the program, I experienced assault and went through a horrible episode of domestic violence. There was no one I could ask for help during that time. However, WorkBC initiated support... Today, I have successfully completed my program and feel confident in myself once again.

I am forever grateful... for believing in my capabilities and assisting me not only in going to school for enhancement but also for giving me all the resources I needed from the beginning up to now. I am greatly gaining back my passion which is giving and caring to others and supporting my family as well.

In October 2022, my husband and I joined our youngest daughter who moved from Winnipeg, MB to Surrey, BC back in 2018. I started my job search a couple of months later and had been sending applications online but unfortunately, was not getting favorable results. During this time, I also applied for EI hoping to get some financial assistance while still unemployed but was declined as I was not laid off but quit work in Winnipeg.

An Indian immigrant who recently moved to Canada as a Permanent Resident at the end of April 2023. With 17 years of experience in the safety field and a master's degree in industrial safety engineering, my transition to the Canadian job market proved to be more challenging than anticipated.

I had been working as an IT employee at a mine in Northern BC.  Rotational work; two weeks on, two weeks off, staying in a camp facility.  It was great, although the weather and isolation were fairly extreme.  But I had a bigger problem, and I was about to learn that denial can only last so long in strained circumstances.  This camp was a dry camp -- no alcohol, no drugs -- and I had a serious drinking problem.  I kept it under control due to being "clean" two weeks at a time while at work and letting loose on my time off.  Little did I know that as soon as flights were grounded and the mine closed, there would be no control, and everything would fall apart.