People In Progress is a 12-week pre-employment program for individuals receiving Persons with Disability funding, and are specifically designed to help you gain the skills you need to get back to work.

This program is funded by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and delivered in partnership with WorkBC.

Rob proudly leaving his handprint on the tree mural at Our WorkPlace. By placing his handprint, he officially graduates from People in Progress.

Dream big and dare to fail
-Big Life Journal

The first 6 weeks are based at Our WorkPlace, (OWP) in the workshop room called The Cooper Room. We are fortunate to have volunteer facilitators from a variety of career backgrounds who deliver workshops as well as OWP staff. Participants are taken through a range of topics designed to help develop the skills to feel confident going back to work. These workshops include but are not limited to:

  • Resume and cover letter writing
  • Interview skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Assertive communication and conflict resolution
  • Self-care
  • Boundaries and Triggers
  • Computer skills
  • Career exploration and work placement preparation
  • Goal setting
  • Budgeting

The two artists who are the creators of our beautiful tree mural. Morgan, who is now our facilitator is seen kneeling down and Patrick in the foreground working on the trunk of the tree.

I took the Our WorkPlace society work program last year. Just wanted to say hi and let you know that I am now working full time in the produce section of quality foods! I’ve been working for 5 months and I just got first raise. Thank you guys for all your help on building skills and learning new things.

-Maxwell Coldicutt

Part of the workshops includes obtaining the following certifications: FoodSafe, Foodsafe, Superhost, Cultural Safety, WHMIS.

By the end of the workshops participants can expect to have a marketable resume, the skills needed to successfully apply for work, and the confidence to re-enter the work force.

Participants will receive regular and ongoing support from OWP staff throughout the entire process.

Participants will then begin a 5-week work experience. OWP’s job developer will be working with the participants to find a placement that meets their needs and interests (depending on availability of placements).

During the work experience, the required hours of work stays at 20 hours per week, but the schedule may vary.

OWP staff will support clients with weekly meetings (at minimum) throughout the program. Once the work experience is completed, clients come back to OWP where you will evaluate your experience of People in Progress, plan for your next steps which may include education, work or volunteering and graduate from the program.

Many people go on to get work, upgrade their education, take vocational training or continue volunteering at their placements and many have made friendships that continue after the program.

The staff at Our WorkPlace are available to support you after the program and many graduates come back to Our WorkPlace to stay connected and get help with job interviews and application.