06/15/2026
SUCCESS STORY 🎉
After several years of unemployment, Lee came to the WorkBC Rutland Centre seeking a fresh start. As a mature worker with disabilities, Lee faced significant barriers to employment, including chronic neck and shoulder pain that made returning to previous fields such as landscaping and painting impossible. Despite holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Lee had never worked in an office setting and struggled to find opportunities that matched both her abilities and experience. Determined to help, WorkBC provided personalized case management, creating multiple tailored resumes and offering job search support to better highlight Lee’s transferable skills.
Understanding that employment success goes hand-in-hand with overall wellbeing, her Employment Counsellor connected Lee to ten sessions of personal counselling. These sessions helped build confidence, improve resilience, and support Lee through the emotional challenges of long-term unemployment. When job search efforts remained unsuccessful, WorkBC explored new pathways and supported Lee’s enrollment in the Project-Based Labour Market Training (PBLMT) Hospitality and Culinary program at Okanagan College, opening the door to a new and sustainable career direction.
Upon completing the program, Lee’s hard work paid off. WorkBC connected Lee with a local employer, leading to a part-time cleaner position in the hospitality field. To ensure a smooth transition, WorkBC provided job start supports, including essential clothing, cleaning supplies, and a gas card. Lee has stepped confidently into employment, proving that with the right support and determination, new beginnings are possible at any stage of life.
“Success to me is to embark on the right path and to utilize my full talent in my new career.”
Reach out to the WorkBC Centre Rutland to discover how we might assist you as well!
P: 778.738.2909
E: [email protected]
https://hubs.la/Q04lsbkC0
