WorkBC Wage Subsidy Program Helps Client Overcome “No Work Experience” Hurdle
October 30, 2020
Mason recently completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. While working full-time as a Sous Chef at a pub, Mason applied for several junior management, consulting, accounting, and business analyst types roles, but was unsuccessful. Through Service Canada, Mason was connected with the Langley WorkBC Centre.
Although he had lots of work experience, Mason had no direct experience in business, other than through practicums with his studies at Kwantlen. Through countless applications, the same comment kept coming back from potential employers – they were only interested in candidates with at least two years experience. As happens to many, Mason was caught in a “catch 22”. Without related work experience, no one would hire him; if no one would hire him, he couldn’t get the required related experience.
Mason was connected to a WorkBC Career Coach and eventually with an Employment Placement Specialist (EPS). The EPS tried marketing Mason to different employers, but, again, the lack of experience remained a problem. The EPS was able to connect Mason with Caliber Projects, a local construction company for an Informational Interview.
Mason made a strong impression with the management at Caliber and they wanted to offer him an opportunity but again the lack of work experience still made the company reluctant. Through the WorkBC Wage Subsidy program, the EPS worked with Caliber to provide a wage subsidy to cover 50% of Mason’s wages and mandatory employment related costs (MERCS) for the first 16 weeks of employment. The Wage Subsidy Program supports employers to provide clients like Mason the opportunity to obtain the experience they need to get and sustain long-term employment.
Mason has been working with employer since the beginning of September and the Employment Placement Specialist recently received this message from Mason’s supervisor: “Mason has been a great addition to the team thus far. His eagerness and willingness to ask questions and learn as much as possible has been a pleasure to deal with. He is definitely an individual who strives to improve on his abilities each day to further progress his career.”
The Employment Placement Specialist also regularly connects with Mason and this is what Mason shared: “Caliber is an amazing company with great leadership and direction. It is a company I wanted to work for since my first meeting with them. Caliber is a great company to work for and I am learning a lot. Every day is something different.”
*Clients’ name has been changed to protect privacy.
