PBLMT Program: The Key to My Sustainable Success!

I worked as a barber for 2-3 years after getting my certification in 2017. My job was commission based, and to receive a sustainable income I needed a minimum of 10 customers each day; most of the time I got far less than 10. I had to rely on the BC Employment assistance program and EI. I am 42, divorced, renting my bedroom from my mother, and both of my 2 children are under the care of me ex-wife, sister and mother.  My past made finding work difficult: I have a criminal record from 2005, as well as a drug and alcohol addiction history, although I have been attending AA meetings and am now 15 months sober. 

I decided to try WorkBC because I was struggling financially, and was eager to explore any options that were available to me. I explored the idea of running my own barbershop with my Employment Counselor, and attended the self-employment program information session in March 2023. However, I was unfortunately not accepted into the program because of a lack of readiness to proceed.  I possessed basic computer skills, good communications skills, and a willingness to learn, but I knew that to achieve sustainable employment I would need to learn a new skill set. I am good with hands-on jobs, so I decided to pursue a career as an electrician apprentice. In 2023 I did some temporary electrician assistant work anywhere from 0-8 hours each week, for 6 months. However, I was not able to maintain this position because of my lack of systematic training. 

My Employment Counselor was very thorough in their support, from helping me explore electrician apprenticeship training, to various other options of re-entering the labor market to providing resources to help me further develop career aspirations and my ability to execute them. Under their guidance I attended a Career Planning Assessment to identify industrial trade jobs that would be a good fit for me, and I was then referred to the PBLMT program (Project Based Labour Market Training). WorkBC provided me with financial support during this program, as well as when I later started a job. 

I was able to obtain a conditional Letter of Acceptance from ACE Trades and Technology Institute for Construction Electrical Trades Training. This training really helped me update my skill set in the electrical trades, and readied me to enter the sector and develop my career as an electrician apprentice.

After completing the PBLMT program I was hired by my practicum employer. WorkBC Centre Newton team helped turn my life completely around, and I couldn’t be more happy and thankful for where I am today. I went from working an unsustainable barber role, to living on income assistance, to having an electrician role, which will hopefully lead to a certified electrician position one day!