Taylore was a single mother who was relatively new to living on the Sunshine Coast. Her daughter was soon starting grade 1 so she wanted to search for full time employment as her current part-time income was not sustainable.

She had a number of educational achievements, including a Bachelor of Vocational Education. In addition, she had work experience. Even so, she lacked knowledge of the local labour market and a network on the Sunshine Coast. She said, “My foot had never hit the floor looking for a job. I had always been tapped on the shoulder.” After talking to people about her search for employment, she received recommendations to go to WorkBC.

Taylore’s employment goal was full-time employment in teaching, administration or IT. Her case manager at WorkBC Sechelt recommended that she participate in the Jobs in Demand cohort that was soon starting. The program would help develop her resume and skills as well as obtain industry specific training and certificates. Early into the program, she started helping the other participants. She supported them with computer use and with their resumes and cover letters. She joked to the employment facilitator, “I want your job!”

As luck would have it, there was an opening with Open Door Group (ODG) for an employment facilitator just as the JID cohort was ending. With encouragement from her case manager, the JID facilitator and the other JID participants, Taylore applied for the position. She was hired, initially on a casual contract, which became full-time within a few months. Taylore recently completed 52 week of sustainable employment at the end of December 2020.