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BC Employment Program (BCEP)


April 2, 2012

Effective: April 02, 2012

The British Columbia Employment Program (BCEP) is replaced by the Employment Program of BC (EPBC) on April 2, 2012.  Referrals to the EPBC started on April 2, 2012.

Only new BCEA clients with employment obligations that have been identified by the ministry are formally referred to the EPBC.  All other BCEA clients who could benefit from EPBC services to assist them to find work, or improve their employment readiness, will be encouraged by ministry staff to access EPBC self-serve services.

EPBC service providers will assess if a person accessing EPBC services requires more than self-serve services. If needed, and that person is an employment obligated ministry client, the service provider can contact the ministry via a Service Request to request a formal referral to the EPBC to provide them with case management. Ministry staff will complete a new Employment Plan for the client.

For more information on the EPBC: http://www.workbc.ca/workbccentres/welcome.htm

Overview: January 12, 2011

The BC Employment Program (BCEP) is a comprehensive employment program that provides employment services and supports designed to meet the needs of individual BC Employment & Assistance clients who are deemed Expected to Work (ETW) or Expected to Work-Medical Condition (ETW-MC).

The BCEP Job Club is delivered by Contractors in seven general service delivery bundles across the province. Original BCEP and Modified Original services are delivered in two specialized service delivery bundles: Bundle 3 (Mental Health / Addictions) are delivered by Open Door Group and Bundle 5 (Immigrant / ESL) are delivered by GT Hiring Solutions 2005 Inc.

Referral guidelines for the BCEP are outlined in the Procedures, EI Eligibility and BCEP Referral
  
The ministry expects that a minimum of ninety-five percent of all clients referred to contractors will be accepted into the BCEP.  Contractors will conduct an interview with the client to determine the level of intervention required to achieve BCEP Employment.  All clients accepted in the BCEP Job Club or BCEP Modified Original will be directed into Individualized Services and Supports (ISS).

The ministry’s objectives for the BCEP are:

  1. Clients who are employable will be assisted to reach Independence as quickly as possible through sustainable employment;
  2. Clients who have barriers to employment will be assisted to achieve progress along the Employment Continuum through increased employability and connections with community services; and
  3. The ministry will achieve improved administrative efficiencies in employment programming.

The Ministry expects the BCEP to be delivered to clients in a seamless manner as they move through the program. Responsibilities for the services are as follows:

Ministry responsibility:

  • Referrals – which includes client eligibility and referral guidelines

Contractor responsibility (client services):

  • Client Intake – to assess Clients for their suitability to participate in the BCEP
  • Directed Work Search (DWS) – which provides short-term support to clients who are considered capable of conducting their own work search. For clients in the BCEP Job Club or BCEP (Modified Original) there is no DWS
  • Individualized Services and Supports (ISS) – which is geared for clients who could, with additional services and support, move into BCEP Employment.