WorkBC helps job-seeker ‘keep his spirits up’ not just once or twice, but three times

Brian McLean just knew he would thrive in a role where he got to support the bookkeeping of a small business, but as a newcomer to the North Okanagan with a background in customer service, he found himself spinning his tires.

“I had a few jobs, but I needed help to get my resume focused for the kinds of positions I really wanted to be in,” says McLean, who moved to Armstrong in 2016 and soon became connected with a WorkBC case manager.

“How businesses work was really fascinating to me and I just enjoy the numbers,” he says. “I’m a numbers type of guy.”

Hard work and preparation helped him land a bookkeeping role with a local notary office, which was able to access WorkBC’s wage subsidy program. The program matches WorkBC clients who require on-the-job training and work experience with employers who can offer support, supervision, and training to their new employee. The temporary subsidy covers a part of employee wages in exchange for coaching and on-the-job training. 

Then, the pandemic hit, and there was Brian, back at WorkBC, in need of help.

“As soon as the (WorkBC) office opened again, I was there every Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” he says. “I was there all the time, working on my resume and the people there were so great because I had some hurdles to overcome a number of times.”

One of those hurdles was technology. McLean would tailor a resume to suit a new job opening, and then sure enough, the USB stick on which that resume was saved would glitch.

“There was a lot of perseverance. Without the help and support of the team in the Resource Centre, I would have given up.”

But McLean carried on, and soon landed a role with a local accounting firm, covering for a staff leave. When that staff member returned, McLean already knew where to go.

“I got to know everyone downstairs really well,” says McLean.

In the fall of 2023, a third round of resume and job search support helped him land a bookkeeping role with Okanagan Grown Produce Agency. He spends his days ensuring invoices are paid and payments are entered in the bookkeeping system, and sending out cheques to their suppliers, among other tasks.

“There’s always a lot of things happening at once where I can help. I like being able to fix problems.”

His new desk is just steps away from the WorkBC Vernon building.

“I still go there to visit every so often. They were such a big influence in keeping me going and, really, helping me to get my foot in the door in the first place with the wage subsidy. (Without WorkBC), I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

With so much experience benefitting from the support of WorkBC, McLean often tells others:

“If you’re looking for work or you’re looking to change careers, it’s definitely a great resource and a great group of people if you need someone to bounce ideas off of or just to help you keep your spirits going.”

Are you a job-seeker interested in learning how WorkBC services can help you in your career search? Stop by today or learn more at: https://workbccentre-vernon.ca/