Employment Programs

Employment Programs

One of the highest priorities of Coast members is to rejoin the workforce as either part-time or full-time employees or to find rewarding volunteer placements. Coast has responded to this need with the Supported Employment Program (SEP).

An important part of Coast’s employment service is an Employer's Advisory Council that guides Coast’s programs, identifies opportunities and fosters partnerships with employers.

Supported Employment Program

Upon successful completion of one or more Transitional Employment placements, Coast members are eligible to participate in the Clubhouse Supported Employment Program.

Working with the on-staff Supported Employment counsellor, members are assisted in identifying areas of employment they wish to work in and the members skills are marketed to suitable employers. The counsellor then attempts to secure a placement for the member. Assistance with interviewing, training, job coaching and on-going support from the SEP counsellor enables Coast members to ease into permanent employment.

As well, members who are interested in training programs leading to employment can be assisted to access funding through provincial and federal government sources.

Employers’ Advisory Council

The Employers’ Advisory Council has representation from a wide variety of employers, from unions and from Coast and is committed to improving employment opportunities for people who have had a mental illness. It achieves this by advising Coast on hiring practices and employment opportunities that seem to be appropriate to the interests and skills of Coast members. The Council also encourages employers to partner with Coast, and provides leadership in educating employers about mental illness and the opportunities to take advantage of the workers that are available through Coast’s employment programs. Many members of the Council have human resources experience and provide current information on workforce trends and needs.

Coast partners with a significant number and wide variety of employers to be able to offer employment opportunities to Coast members. Currently there are over twenty employers working with Coast. They represent the hospitality industry, financial and insurance institutions, municipal government, local business associations, colleges, and retail. Employers who partner with Coast provide job opportunities for Coast members and benefit from having access to the wide range of skills and experience that Coast members. Employers also receive the assessment and transitional support that Coast provides as a member adjusts to a new job and returning to the workforce

Join our team of supportive employers and become an Advisory Council Member. The members of the Employers’ Advisory Council are:

• B.C. Pavillion Corporation
• B.C. Transit
• Capilano College
• City of Vancouver
• Greater Vancouver Regional District
• Human Resources Development Canada
• HSBC
• I AM Cares
• Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
• Mt. Pleasant Business Improvement Association
• Sev Morin Consulting
• The Bank of Nova Scotia
• Westcoast Energy
• XEROX