Frequently Asked Questions…

This FAQ page provides a list of commonly asked questions with answers. Read through them all (they’re brief and helpful!), or simply click on a questions to jump to the answer. If you have your own questions, or want to discuss your specific situation with us, then please Contact Us or email us using our inquiry form.

What is The Transitions Program?
When, where, and how often does it run?
Why is it ‘free’?
Do I qualify?
How will the program help me?
How do I sign up?
I was told I need a referral from a Case Manager – what’s that?
I’m on EI - will this affect my claim?
What kind of people attend this program?
What results can I expect?
What sets Transitions apart from other programs and services?
Will it be worth my time? 3 weeks seems long…
Will I receive individual help?
Who is Transitions? What kind of organization?
Sign me up!!
What if I’m working or not eligible for the program?
I have my own question(s) not answered here…

Answers:

What is The Transitions Program?
The Transitions Program is a 3 week career exploration and planning program designed to help you identify and target new career options that will be exciting, fulfilling and that will offer the opportunities and rewards you want and deserve. We will also support you in developing a pro-active action plan with concrete steps to career success. The program runs at 2 Vancouver area locations and is fully funded by the government, meaning no cost to you. (Must be currently unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week, and eligible to work in Canada) Click here to go to the Program Content/Overview Page.

When, where, and how often does it run?
We run the program at our 2 Vancouver locations #1005, 750 West Pender St., Vancouver, BC (downtown Vancouver on Pender @ Howe) and #203, 3665 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC (Vancouver/Burnaby border on Kingsway @ Boundary Road) and at our Burnaby location 600, 4180 Lougheed Hwy (on Lougheed just east of Gilmore). Click here to go to our contact us/locations page. Programs begin once per month at each location with rotating start dates. The in class portion of the program runs for 3 weeks, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 2pm each day. The program is followed by a research week that includes additional one-on-one meetings with a career counsellor and a group follow-up meeting on the Friday. Follow-up support in the form of success teams continues for an additional 8 weeks, so the full program actually covers 12 weeks, with additional support available for up to 6 months.

Why is it ‘free’?
Actually the program is not really ‘free’ but at no cost to you as the government fully funds the program for people who are unemployed. We are a private, professional career counselling agency that also offers services to fee paying individuals and corporations. You receive the same level of professional guidance, support and resources as any other client group – but the fees are covered by the provincial government (Ministry of Housing and Social Development) through the EI fund.

Do I qualify?
To be eligible to attend The Transitions Program, you must be currently unemployed OR underemployed (working less than 20 hours per week), eligible to work in Canada, and be available to attend the program each day for 3 weeks. Although funded through the EI fund and managed by the Ministry of Housing and Social Development, you do not need to be receiving EI to qualify. (For a full list of eligibility criteria click here or use the side menu bar and click on ‘Eligibility Criteria’ under ‘The Program’).
The program is designed to provide you with support and guidance, time to step back and re-evaluate your career options, discover new ideas and opportunities, and research these new options. If, instead, you already have a job target and are ready to begin an active job search, there are other programs that can help you. Call us for more details or visit www.youremploymentservices.ca for a full list of government funded programs.

How will the program help me?
We will help you…
- successfully navigate life and career transitions, changes and losses
- connect, or reconnect, with your passions, interests and purpose
- identify careers that fit best with your personal interest patterns and personality style
- research these careers and develop a list of criteria by which to choose your ‘best fit career’
- develop and implement a career transition action plan with tangible steps and access to other resources and support
- provide professional advice, guidance and support throughout the process, both through group facilitation, one-on-one coaching sessions and success teams

How do I sign up?
First we require everyone to attend, in person, one of our weekly Information Sessions where you will learn more about our program and meet with one of our staff. At that meeting, or shortly after, we will be able to confirm your registration or provide you with referrals to other programs should ours not be the right fit for you. To finalize your registration we will need to receive a referral form or ‘action plan’ from a Case Manager at an Employment Resource Centre (for more info on this see next question).
To get things started simply use our Inquiry Form or Contact Us.

I was told I need a referral from a Case Manager – what’s that?
Our program is funded through EI and managed by the province under the Ministry of Housing and Social Development. They also fund agencies around Vancouver and the Lower Mainland that act as central program referral and information centres. Although you are welcome to attend one of our information sessions at any time, in order to be confirmed for our program you will need to have discussed your options with a Case Manager/Employment Counsellor at one of these agencies and obtained a referral form from them. Go to www.youremploymentservices.ca for a list of agencies offering general and specialized case management services or Contact Us for more information.

I’m on EI - will this affect my claim?
No. You can attend before, during or after your claim. Our program is considered part of an active job search.

What kind of people attend this program?
People like you who want to explore new career opportunities in a positive and pro-active environment. We have from 15 to 18 participants in each program, made up of adults ranging in age from 25 to 65. Although each group is a diverse mix of people from a variety of industries and backgrounds, they form a close bond as each individual develops personal career goals with encouragement and input from the group.

What results can I expect?
Our results speak for themselves. Our clients make successful career changes, return to school for training and education, start their own businesses, or create a life/work mix that works best for them. Within 3-6 months of taking our program over 80% of our participants have taken concrete steps towards career success including securing new work.

What sets Transitions apart from other programs and services?
Our program offers a unique, holistic approach to career and life planning. We not only assist you in discovering career matches using career assessments and exercises, but also get you to look at your own dreams and aspirations, gifts and abilities, priorities and values. With our 3 week format, we are able to cover a wide array of topics that impact your career growth and prosperity, and provide time to develop clear goals and an action plan.

Will it be worth my time? 3 weeks seems long…
What’s your career future worth to you? 3 weeks is actually not a lot of time when you consider that we spend years of our lives working in a particular job, career or profession. Our 3 week format allows us to cover a wide variety of topics and issues that are key to the development of a thorough and successful career and life transition plan. Job market trends, dream jobs and aspirations, career testing with career matches, research techniques, goal setting, group brainstorming and one-on-one coaching are all covered in this program.

Will I receive individual help?
Yes. Along with our group sessions, each participant meets one-on-one with a career counsellor/coach several times throughout the program and follow-up period.

Who is Transitions? What kind of organization?
Transitions Career & Business Consultants Inc. is a community oriented agency serving the needs of individuals, businesses and government in the areas of career and business development. We are committed to supporting individuals in their career and personal advancement, taking a comprehensive, holistic approach to career and life planning.

What if I’m working, not eligible, or simply want private one-on-one coaching?
Click here to link to our company website for career testing and coaching services and options.

I have my own question(s) not answered here…Contact Us

Sign me up!!