The new Employment Program for BC, scheduled to be implemented April 2, 2012, will leave many not served, especially in the inner-city.  Several existing services, previously supoported as employment services, will be closing.  Pathways Information Centre is an important community resource, providing access to basic resources, referrals to community services, and connections to employment.  Alternative funding after April 2012 is not yet in place.

Withdrawal of our funding by the Ministry of Social Development has prompted several media pieces and the Bill Good Show was one of the best.  Subsequent coverage on CBC Radio, the Globe and Mail and the Vancouver Courier has been great.

Tradeworks Training Society met with the Minister in November but neither the Ministry nor other arms of government have stepped up. The Downtown East Side is a neighbourhood to which people retreat when they hit hard times.  But they need help getting back on the feet.  Pathways, a low barrier, easy access resource centre at Main & Hastings and the centre sees @3000 new members each year.  The government’s planned ‘Employment Service Centre’ anticipates only serving @500 higher needs job seekers each year.  Where will the other people go?