B.C. expands community employment services to 16 more communities with $18.6m investment
More people facing complex barriers to employment will soon have improved access to personalized, community-based job supports, as the B.C. government expands wraparound employment services to 16 additional communities across the province.
Backed by the Canada-B.C. Workforce Development Agreement, the province is investing $18.6 million over two years to grow its Community-Based Employment Services (CBES) program, an expansion expected to help up to 2,680 people.
The program is designed to support individuals who may not be well served by traditional employment programs, using outreach, flexible timelines, trauma-informed care and culturally safe approaches delivered by trusted local organizations.
The expanded services will be available in communities throughout the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Interior and northern B.C., including Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Prince Rupert, Fort St. John and Williams Lake.
CBES offers a range of supports aimed at helping people build stability and confidence before entering the workforce, including:
outreach in community settings
connections to housing, health care and income assistance
mentorship, coaching and skills development
access to training, certifications and work placements
The expansion builds on lessons learned from a pilot program launched in 2024 and forms part of B.C.’s broader Poverty Reduction Strategy, which focuses on affordability, income supports and creating pathways to employment.
The province also released its 2024 Poverty Reduction Strategy Annual Report in the legislature on April 16, 2026, outlining progress under its renewed 10-year plan and emphasizing the importance of housing, income assistance and employment services in helping people achieve long-term stability during ongoing cost-of-living challenges.
Alongside CBES, WorkBC centres will continue offering a broad range of employment resources, including supports for people with disabilities and specialized training for groups under-represented in the workforce.