February 18, 2010 - Issue # 1
Welcome to the first edition of the redesigned Employment and Labour Market Services eNewsletter. Through the eNewsletter, the Ministry of Housing and Social Development keeps interested stakeholders up to date on a number of new and upcoming initiatives.
Business Transformation Project Moving Ahead!
When responsibility for the delivery of federally funded EI programs and services transferred to the Province in February of last year, the Ministry of Housing and Social Development was given a significant opportunity to consider how both provincially and federally funded programs could be transformed to create a system of services that are integrated, flexible, responsive and centred on the client.
In September 2009 the ministry launched the Business Transformation Project to identify opportunities and implement solutions for program integration and enhanced service delivery.
Through this project, the ministry is interested in achieving the following:
| › A one window approach that provides an array of employment and labour market services and supports to clients, employers and communities; |
| › Employment and labour market services are delivered in partnership with other provincial ministries, community organizations and employers; |
| › Programs are flexible to provide individualized services and support that best meet client needs and result in a positive service experience; |
| › To fully spend program dollars to maximize return for individuals and get them back to stable work more quickly;
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To migrate to a new system that supports integrated service delivery and performance spending. |
Ultimately, the project will result in the redesign of programs and service delivery models, both provincially and federally funded. Click here for more information.
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Provincial Government Ministries Collaborate in BC Engagement Sessions
Through October and November 2009, the ministries of Housing and Social Development, Community and Rural Development and Advanced Education and Labour Market Development conducted engagement sessions in 11 locations across the province with over 750 individuals representing diverse stakeholder organizations, including employers, service providers, community organizations and other interested groups.
Through these sessions, ministry representatives hoped to achieve the following objectives:
| › Inform the design and implementation of future programs and services; |
| › Inform the strategic investment of provincial and federal budget dollars; |
| › Confirm labour market information, such as community labour market priorities; |
| › Increase awareness and understanding of government initiatives and encourage information sharing; |
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Report out on progress over the past year. |
Summaries of these engagement sessions are now available online.
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Changes to Skills Development Employment Benefit
The Ministry of Housing and Social Development on November 27, 2009, implemented a tuition cap of $4000 per person for the Skills Development Employment Benefit and introduced tighter criteria to applicants. A cap on apprentice tuition of $500 per apprentice level also came into effect on November 30, 2009. The cap was based on the average tuition funding for the Skills Development program and the average tuition costs for apprentice training. These caps have been implemented province wide.
A tuition cap was necessary because of increasing demand for skills development and training. The cap helps to ensure long-term program sustainability and supports a greater number of British Columbians to benefit from Skills Development programs. Click here for more information.
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In This Issue
| › Business Transformation Project |
| › Provincial Government Ministries Collaborate in Provincial Engagement Sessions |
Questions?
Do you have a question about business transformation, service delivery, or any other inquiry related to employment and labour market services? Click here and send us your question; we'll get back to you and post the question and response online for future reference.
Did You Know That?
In January 2009 the Employment Division and the Labour Market Services Transition Office came together to form the Employment and Labour Market Services Division. This was followed shortly by the official transfer of almost 230 federal staff to the Province on February 2, 2009 under the Labour Market Development Agreement. In August 2009, the division then welcomed a number of social integration programs and initiatives, including the Homelessness Intervention Project (HIP) and the Government Non-Profit Initiative (GNPI). The division is now responsible for a broad spectrum of key labour market and social integration programs and services across the province.
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