Empowering Careers: New Employment Programs
In a stride towards inclusivity and empowerment, YWCA Metro Vancouver has recently launched three innovative employment programs. Each provides tailored support to individuals seeking careers that align with their unique life circumstances and aspirations.
YWCA Believe: Nurturing Careers for Gender Diverse Communities
YWCA Believe is a new innovative employment program that supports gender diverse or 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers and refugees. It offers a wide range of resources, including personalized one-to-one coaching for career advancement and workshops covering crucial topics like resume and cover letter development, interview skills and navigating outness in the workplace. YWCA Believe is generously funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
YWCA PowerUp: Fostering Entrepreneurs
YWCA PowerUp empowers aspiring self-identified women freelancers and entrepreneurs with essential skills for business initiation, management and growth. The program's comprehensive curriculum delves into marketing strategies, financial acumen and goal-setting techniques. Participants are also equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the competitive entrepreneurial landscape and create thriving and impactful ventures. This program is part of a nationwide initiative in collaboration with our YWCA colleagues across the country, specifically YWCA Hamilton.
YWCA Skills for Success: Paving the Way in Manufacturing
Addressing the need for representation in the manufacturing sector, YWCA Skills for Success is a 16-week intensive program designed for self-identified racialized or visible minority individuals who seek a career in manufacturing. This program is anchored in the Skills for Success training framework, focusing on critical skills like digital proficiency, effective communication, creativity and problem-solving. Most participants are self-identified women and through the program have access to financial and wraparound support. We are grateful to Employment and Social Development Canada for funding and for our partnership with Northwest Skills Institute, Douglas College, The Essential Skills Group and ETHOS Career Management.
Speaking on the significance of these programs, Carolyn Neilson, VP of Employment and Training Services at the YWCA said, "having a supportive community network while enhancing or learning new skills is invaluable for many, particularly those who face additional barriers to employment. These initiatives empower visible and racialized minorities, by providing the support needed to gain valuable skills and pursue sustainable careers goals."
For more information about YWCA employment programs, contact Fulvia Carregan at fcarregan@ywcavan.org.
