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.

I was unemployed when I came to WorkBC Centre Whalley for assistance. I had gotten a degree outside of Canada, but it was not enough to help me get a job. I worked at low-pay admin jobs until I became pregnant with my second child and went on maternity leave. I became a stay-at-home Mom for 4 years due to not having a direction of a career. My degree was not recognized by companies in Canada. I applied everywhere without any success or even an offer for an interview.

It was winter when my job ended. It was a low hiring season for warehouse and construction, which were my core skills. Losing my job coincided with my family's arrival from the Philippines, where I spent time with them to help them adjust to life in Canada. On top of this, one of my children has a developmental/ mental health disability, and he was a handful. He needed a lot of our attention. So, job searching was even more challenging for me.

WorkBC has funded my training in Esthetics, assisted me with my health needs and supported me with finding work as well as working clothes and shoes. My Vocational Counsellor was super attentive, caring and supportive. I’ll be forever grateful for all the help I received from WorkBC Centre Whalley to achieve my employment outcome goals.

On March 16, 2023 I attended a Job Fair in Surrey. Although I was there to find a job, I became interested in the manufacturing program offered by the Northwest Skills Institute. I intended to take this course, but the leader of the organization recommended the Print Entry Level Training Program instead, based on my past experience running large format Digital Printers. However, it wasn’t until the middle of May that I was told that the PELTP now had enough students to begin the program. The start date was to be May 29, 2023.

I was helpless when I started my job search in September. My resume was not as per the Canadian job market. Laura from WorkBC Centre Guildford helped me with it. Once I started getting interview calls, WorkBC Centre Whalley helped me prepare for the interviews by conducting mock interviews. Staff at WorkBC Centre Whalley helped me appear for my interviews smoothly when my laptop was not working properly. I felt it was so helpful and it meant a lot to me.

When I moved to Canada, I was unemployed and while I was looking for a job, I realized it was not easy to find a job in Canada without reference, local experience and Canadian education. My resume was not getting shortlisted, I was unable to clear interviews. I appeared for more than 30 interviews and when I used to reach the second round, I was not getting hired due to lack of Canadian work experience and Canadian education. Also, as a newcomer I had no reference to share which was another reason.

I came to Canada in 2017. I was sponsored by my mother who came here years back as a Caregiver. As a new immigrant, I was excited to work to help my family.  I tried different survival jobs. The last job I had was at Cascade Casino as a banquet server.  Due to the pandemic, my employer reduced my work hours from full time to part time.  It was hard as I was expected to contribute to my family’s expenses. I decided to look for other opportunities that could help me find a permanent job.

I came to Canada in 2016 with my family including 2 children, aged 4 and 6 respectively. I was full of hope and enthusiasm.  I came from Iraq. I worked different jobs. The job where I was for the longest time was as a security guard but I got laid off in 2020. As a security guard, I was receiving minimum income but was thankful for the experience and opportunity given to me by the organization. Shortly after that, I came to WorkBC Centre Whalley seeking Job Search support. I was ready to change my career because I knew there were many opportunities out there but I wasn’t qualified.  My background in Physical Education back home was not leading me anywhere.

The last time I recall was when I was struggling to make ends meet. In addition to being a single mother with a six-year-old son, I had experienced domestic violence and did not have any relatives or friends whom I could turn to for assistance. Furthermore, I was also a new immigrant who was unfamiliar with the resources available to us here. Eventually, I met individuals who helped us overcome the difficulties of applying for food banks, income assistance, etc. In addition, I maintained close ties with the Filipino community in the Surrey area. It was at that time that I met Ms. Rosita Bernardo from WorkBC Centre Whalley. The first time I met her, I felt a sense of relief because she is a Filipina, and I felt at ease with her. Her trustworthiness and kindness made me think I could rely on her. She encouraged me to be strong and believed that I could turn my life around.

"During the past two years (COVID-19), I was lost, confused and had mild depression. I gained a lot of weight and became de-motivated, but because I met Rosita at WorkBC Whalley Centre, I got the opportunity to see my new self again. She guided my career decision by analyzing my skills and background, which I couldn't see myself then. She allowed me to obtain the necessary training and credentials with the help of WorkBC funding. I am delighted to say that I completed the Career Development Practitioner Diploma program on July 27, 2022."

"I wanted to go to school to take Health Care Assistant program. But I wondered if I could shoulder the costs. Then, my friend told me about WorkBC and to call Ms. Rosita Bernardo. So, I finally got into the Health Care Assistant Program. During my training, I struggled to balance my household duties, make my assignments, review and prepare for exams. I often had very little sleep, and my stress and anxiety were very high. However, as I talked to Ms. Rosita, she was always very positive, guiding and encouraging me that I could do well and not doubt myself."

"I started this journey with WorkBC Whalley about 2 years ago and it was the best decision I could have ever made. I started by doing personality tests and it was a wonderful opportunity for me to learn so much about myself. WorkBC Whalley helped me research different colleges to pursue the LPN program again with regard to the cost of tuition, resources such as distance and the reputation of the school. WorkBC Whalley worked with me individually helping me understand the strengths I could use to get me through this program. "

"Never in my life did I ever think that I would turn my life around as I have in the past few years. I have learned a lot about myself and other people. I have always thought about being a care aide but the thought of going back to school after ten plus years and all the funding scared the hell out of me. Getting into this industry has shown me patience, it has opened my eyes to a whole new world. I am proud of myself for getting this far and I am officially a certified Care Aide."

"I was a live-in caregiver for a lovely woman with dementia for more than six years. Sadly, she passed away at the age of 97 last November of 2019, leaving me unemployed. Someone told me to call WorkBC because WorkBC has programs that might help me find another job or get into a skills training program. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the WorkBC Whalley office. Without your program, I could not have achieved this training on my own financially."

"Even though I have years of experience as a live-in caregiver, I did not have the proper training and education in Canada that would enable me to work in facilities or for a company within my line of profession. Rosita guided and counselled me as I applied for the appropriate Work BC program that can provide the proper learning, practice and literacy I needed in my field of work. This was life-changing for me. I now have a valid Certificate and Diploma; I was even one of the top students in my class."

"When the pandemic hit, I got laid off from a job that I thought would position me towards becoming an educator. I was heartbroken. I did not know how and where to start looking for another opportunity. Then came WorkBC Whalley. I was able to register for an intensive Education Assistant Diploma Program. With the Education Assistant Diploma, I landed my new job. So I would like to extend my gratitude to the WorkBC organization."

"I decided to come to WorkBC as I heard that there is support available to find another job or free training. I could not afford to go back to school because I brought my family to Canada. I completed the package, and I was approved for tuition to attend the Health Care Assistant program at Drake Medox College. After receiving my certificate and transcript at the College, I  feel so proud. I graduated with honours."