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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Alberni Valley Employment Centre the same thing as Service Canada (the EI office)?

A: No. We are a separate agency contracted by the government to provide Employment Assistance Services. We cannot help with enquiries about EI claims, Social Insurance Number applications, passports, citizenship applications, GST credits, and so forth. These enquiries must be directed to a Service Canada office (located right next door to us at 4805-A Mar Street in Port Alberni; click here for other locations).

Q: Who funds your services?

A: Our services are funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement under an Employment Assistance Services (EAS) contract.

Q: Who is eligible for your services?

A: Anyone who is legally entitled to work in Canada can access most of the services in our office. Because our mandate is to target unemployed and under-employed workers, clients who work more than 20 hours per week are not normally referred to Employment Counsellors. These clients can still use the self-services in our Resource Centre. Clients seeking referrals to Job Creation Partnerships, Wage Subsidy, Self-Employment, or Skills Development programs will need to have a current or recent EI claim.

Q: Can you keep my resumé on file and call me if a job comes up that I'm qualified for?

A: We cannot keep resumés on file or send them on to employers, but we encourage all clients to check our Job Postings pages regularly and use our computer lab, fax machine and other resources to look for jobs.

Q: Is there a charge for your services?

A: No.

Q: Do you have a phone I can use? 

A: Our client phone is available for local or long-distance calls related to job search, career research, and educational planning. If you need to use a phone for any other reason, we can direct you to other public-access phones in the community.

Q: Can I copy or fax something that's not job-related and just pay you for it?

A: Under our government contract, our equipment and resources can only be used for activities related to job-searching or career planning. For other uses, we will need to direct you elsewhere in the community.

Q: Is there an age limit to access your services?

A: We offer services to anyone of working age who is legally entitled to work in Canada.

Q: Can you help me pay for schooling?

A: The Employment Centre can advise you on training programs that are available, as well as funding from other sources that you may be eligible for. If you have a current or recent EI claim, a Counsellor can also refer you to the Skills Development program to help you pay for re-training courses. Please contact one of our offices for more information.

Q: Is there a list of training programs the government will pay for?

A: No. Skills Development contracts are done on a case-by-case basis, and all funding plans must meet government criteria before they can be approved. For more information, please make an appointment to speak with one of our Employment Counsellors.

Q: Can you do up a resumé and cover letter for me?

A: We have a number of services that can help you develop your own resumés and cover letters. Our computer lab and career resource library contain books, samples, and templates you can follow. We also offer hands-on workshops on resumé writing, which cover content and different styles of resumés along with informed feedback from our staff. We recommend you start by meeting with an Employment Counsellor to determine which services would be most helpful to you.

Q: Do you provide on-the-job training?

A: If you have a current or recent EI claim, we may be able to refer you to the Wage Subsidy Program, which can help you gain new skills -- and the potential for longer-term employment -- while working with a local employer. For more information on the Wage Subsidy Program, please contact the local Coordinator at 250.720.8911, or visit the Wage Subsidy website at www.avwagesubsidy.ca .

Q: I want to start up a business. Can you help?

A: We have a number of resources on-site that can help prepare you to start up a business. As well, if you have a current or recent EI claim, you may be eligible for a Counsellor referral to the Self-Employment Program. If you are looking to start up a new business, we recommend you contact the local Community Futures office, which offers a broad range of programs and services to assist you.