Employment for All!
Spectrum AGM Conrad Tyrkin October 2014
Thanks for having me! Today I want to talk about:
-‐Who I am -‐Why we are talking about jobs -‐What we are doing about ge:ng jobs for everyone -‐Supported employment
-‐Game Show Time -‐Mythbusters!
Hi. My name is Conrad. I grew up in Squamish and Port Coquitlam. In high school I did work experience and
public speaking. I live with my Mom and Brother. I went to Douglas College for the
Warehouse program. Now, I work at PharmaSave and with CLBC. I am a delivery driver for prescripMons with
PharmaSave. I am a communicaMon intern with CLBC in
the Simon Fraser Region.
Why I work. I work so I can take my best friend Kyle
for sushi. I work so I can buy presents for my
family and friends’ birthdays. I work so I can go to Hockey Games.
GO CANUCKS! I work so I can save for my dream car. I work so I can eventually live on my
own with a girlfriend.
About Jobs for All! Why are we talking about jobs?
57,000 BriMsh Columbians living with diverseAbiliMes have income below
$11,000/year -‐and-‐
Approximately 2,000 (16%) of people served by CLBC reported employment
income in 2010 Mostly PEOPLE WANT TO WORK!
1,200 more jobs by 2015 Provincially
Our Simon Fraser Region: 171 This will make BC have the highest number of jobs in
North America!
Our Goal
How will we do this? Working Together
-‐All must work together Employment Support -‐Staff have the skills to get you a job
Employers Believe -‐Employers understand they will make money
You and your Dream team (families/supports) Believe -‐Sharing informaMon to support each other -‐New supports, planning, values, family
Shifing from Inclusion Services-‐ We all Believe -‐Increase employment funding and services
A person-‐centred approach. Helps people get a job.
The job is working with everyone. The job is paid.
Lots of different supports are possible! With the right job match and the right
support, everyone can have a job!
What is Supported Employment?
Quick QUESTIONS???
IT’S GAME SHOW TIME… WORKS THE WORD
Lets make two teams.
Each team will see the quesYon. Take at least 10 seconds to talk about the
answer with your team. Shout it out!
First QuesMon: Why would you want a job?
**Hint: There are many answers!
Answer: People go to work to: • earn money • learn new skills • explore interests • meet new people • build confidence • contribute to community • help your family and friends • increase independence • When you work and earn your own money, you have more choices. You can choose what to buy, where to shop, and what you want to do in your Mme off work.
QuesYon Who guides the job support?
** Hint: Who is most important?
Answer: YOU DO!
You have the right to ask for the kind of support that will work best for you when looking for and starMng a new job. You decide what kind of work you want to do and the type of job that will be the best match for you.
QuesYon What does employment
support help with? **Hint: Think about your life!
Answer • Employment support will:
• help you to decide things such as when you want to find work and how ofen you want to work,
• assist you to explore your dreams, skills and interests, and • allow you to figure out what successful employment looks like for you.
• You also have the right to choose a new job if the one you have is not what you want.
• Everyone changes jobs in order to find a workplace that beier matches their skills and interests.
• HANG IN THERE!!!!
QuesYon: How are your interests and
abiliYes discovered? **Hint: How do you show or tell people who you
are?
Answer There are lots of ways! • QuesMons • Visit workplaces • Test your skills • Your opinions and suggesMons • Tell your family or supports • What do you like to do?
QuesYon How much are you paid? Who
pays you? **Hint: What happens for everyone?
Answer: • You get the same rate of pay and benefits as other employees did when they started doing the same job. • You receive your paycheque directly from the employer or the
employer may deposit your cheque into your bank account.
QuesYon Who works together to help you get a job? What do you
do together? **Hint: There are lots of answers.
Answer: • You, your family, your community, your employer and your job coach
are all part of the same DREAM team! You and your team work together to: – talk about your dreams for employment. – make a plan so you have what you need to be successful. – decide what supports you may need, and how long you may need them to make sure your job is a priority for everyone.
– ensure your voice is heard in every conversaMon. – make sure you feel safe to talk about any fears or challenges you may be facing without being at risk of losing your job.
– address your concerns and work together towards soluMons that work for everyone.
– take responsibility for your part on the team.
QuesYon: What is social inclusion?
How does this happen at work? **Hint: This is about how you feel and belong.
Answer: Social Inclusion -‐You have the right to be fully included at your workplace in the same way as any other person who works there. -‐This means you should feel you belong at your workplace, and feel that your co-‐workers respect you as an equal. -‐If there are acMviMes like work parMes or dinners with the other staff people at your job, outside of the hours of your work, you should be included in those events too.
What is economic inclusion?
How does this happen at work?
**Hint: This is about your rights!
Answer: Economic inclusion is about: • the right to work • the right to earn the same wage as others • the right to spend your money where you want to spend it • You can pay for your own things– like paying for rent, groceries, bus pass and fun things
An employment specialist is someone who helps you find
a job. How do they help you with
your job search?
• Answer • You get a job without having to do long pre-‐employment assessments, training or counselling.
• Your skills, strengths and interests should be acknowledged by your employment specialist when you are looking for employment. It is important that you share what skills you have learned, and the measures you have already taken to find a job. Things like building a resume, aiending college or university, other jobs or volunteering you have done, or parMcipaMng in another kind of training.
• If you feel you are ready to work, your employment support should make sure you are not waiMng a long Mme to start looking for the job you want.
What if I’m not ready to work?
Answer: • If you do not feel you are ready to work, your employment specialist should make sure you are given enough Mme to develop the skills and confidence you need to get a job in the future.
• You can plan with your employment specialist and other supporters on your dream team how to build your skills.
• You should never be rushed if you are not yet ready to find work.
I am unique. How does a job meet my needs? How do I let my employment specialist know
what I need for work?
Answer: • When you are looking for a job, your personal gifs are important. If you have specific issues that are important to you personally, or unique things to know about, it is important to discuss what adjustments you may need.
• It is very important that the job you are looking for is a good match for you and your employer.
• The next important thing to consider is the environment or condiMons of employment that
suit your personality. For example, you may want to work in a quiet workplace, acMve workplace, with people, or things. THIS FIT IS IMPORTANT!!
What are natural supports?
Answer: • You might need support to do things on the job. You should have the support you need to do your job. SomeYmes these are short term and someYmes these last longer. You lead the process!
• Natural supports include: – Other co-‐workers – Your supervisor – Your family and friends – Tools that increase your independence on the job – CommunicaYon devices or equipment
What does long term support mean?
Answer: • Support is provided on an as you need it. There are no Mme limitaMons on how long support can be provided.
• It is completely fine if you need support for longer periods of Mme, or if you only need support for certain parts of your job. There is no one way. There should be no Mme limits placed on supports if you need them.
• Also, if you feel you no longer need supports to do your job, you can let your employer and support
people know. Make a plan for independence. Supports can fade away as you become more confident in your job.
How do I get be_er at my job? What if I’m having a hard Yme
at my job? What if I want more work?
Answer: • You have a right to know how you are doing in your job. It is important that you know the parts of your job you are doing really well, and areas that you may need to improve on. Ask for this.
• It is important that you are honest with your employer and your support people if you are having a hard Mme in any areas of your job. It’s ok to ask for help from your team.
• Let your dream team know if you want more work! It might be possible to get more at your current job or find another.
• Give feedback to your employment specialist about how they are doing!
What is self-‐employment?
Answer: • Self-‐employment means having your own business • The success rate for self-‐employment is high in Canada • Like supported employment, an employment specialist learns your gifs and assets
• Your employment specialist would help you with: a viability assessment, business plan, a solid markeMng plan, management skills, and capital
• You might need more help with start-‐up acMviMes, operaMons or ongoing assistance using a variety of workplace supports
For more informaYon on supported employment (including self-‐employment), check out: www.employmencorall.ca
MYTHBUSTER TIME!!! If I have a job, will I: -‐loose my PWD?
-‐loose my health care? -‐loose my annual bus pass? -‐loose my HandyCard?
• You can make up to $1705 ($906 PWD +$800) and sYll be on PWD
• You will keep your PharmaCare coverage for one year ajer you go off of PWD; you should get health benefits through your new job!
• You can put your PWD on hold so you don’t have to re-‐apply
• When you are off PWD, you will not get an annual bus pass; your job might have a bus
pass plan! • You won’t loose your HandyCard or taxi savers
How do I get employment support? • Ask your support worker/organizaMon you work with • Talk to family and friends • Get a referral from CLBC • Start your own business (check out The Launching Pad Manual on www.employmenmorall.ca and get a self-‐employment account with PWD) • Families: Check out a FamilyWORKS chapter
For more informaYon on supported employment (including self-‐employment), check out: www.employmencorall.ca
www.CLBC.ca www.conversaYonsthatma_er.org
www.incommon.tv
QuesYons?
Thank you!
“If you want to succeed as much as you want to breathe, then you’ll be
successful!”