Skills Training for Employment Participants

Individuals Facing Multiple Barriers

When Austen joined Triangle Community Resources’ Reaching Independence Through Employment (RITE) Program in 2024, he hadn’t worked since 2019. The program supports people who face barriers to employment by helping them gain the skills and experience needed to find and sustain meaningful employment.

“After going through the program, a lot has changed for me. I've made real progress on my personal goals, like improving my confidence and mental health,” says Austen, who had struggled with addiction, depression and anxiety. 

Through the RITE Program, Austen gained work experience and received tailored employment coaching, counselling and mentorship. This led to Austen securing full-time employment at a structural engineering company.

“Having a steady job has given me stability and helped me feel more independent, says Austen. “For me, success today looks like continuing to work on myself, staying consistent with self-care, and maintaining a healthy routine. It’s about building a solid foundation for the future and keeping this positive momentum going.”

Young Adults

Silas was interested in a marine career, but was completely new to the industry. Without any experience, even entry-level jobs were not accessible to him. 

Quadrant Marine’s We Float Boats! Marine Service Pre-Employment Program was a perfect fit for Silas. The program offers marine community-based skills exploration and employment readiness for young adults, leading to full-time or part-time employment. 

Silas learned about the different fields of fabrication and service in the marine industry and gained work experience at the boatyards. “My favourite memory is the whole class out in the boatyard in all our safety gear and Tyvek suits in the pouring rain,” he shares. 

Employment coaching and mentorship also helped Silas develop occupational and essential workplace skills. “This pre-employment program gave me the confidence I needed to be employable,” says Silas. “If I had been in a workplace before my Quadrant program, I'd have felt totally lost.”

The program helped Silas find his first job, which he’s sustained for 10 months and counting. His future goal is to be a marine tech in the navy. 

"Everything changed for me with this program,” he says. “I had no career path and no skills. Now I have employable skills, experience, and contacts. I'm at home and comfortable in the industry and have skills for future work.”

Young Adults at Risk

Denae had been unemployed for over a year before joining the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC’s Indigenous Youth Employment Program in East Vancouver. The five-month paid program helps Indigenous at-risk youth overcome barriers and acquire the skills and training needed for sustainable employment.

“I got help with my mental health, got into schooling and found a job after the program!” she shares. 

Through the program, Denae built occupational and essential workplace skills through works experience, employment coaching, and mentorship. The program also offered counselling, post-secondary help, Indigenous cultural supports, and assistance with transportation, equipment and food. “Since I was unemployed. the honorariums and grocery cards along with personal needs shopping really helped me out,” says Denae. 

Denae was accepted into school during the program and gained employment shortly after. “I struggled with how to navigate many of these adult tasks alone and I got so much help from the leaders!” says Denae. “I learned so much. It was really fun.”