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The Work Experience Opportunities Grant (WEOG) is part of Stronger BC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan, designed to support both individuals and communities to enhance employability and work readiness skills. Delivered by United Way BC (UWBC), the WEOG initiative provides funding to non-profits and charitable partners to create short-term, paid work experiences for up to10 individuals who are receiving BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA), or Federal equivalent, who may face significant barriers to employment.
Grant Objectives:
This initiative is an opportunity for non-profits to enhance their programs and services offering while creating a more inclusive work environment for British Columbians in need. It provides eligible funded partners with grants to deliver time-limited work experience opportunities for residents receiving or eligible to receive BC Employment and Disability Assistance (BCEA) and Federal income assistance.
Work Experience Placements:
- Participants are expected to complete 200 hours (Low Intensity Option) or 240 hours (High Intensity Option) of work experience
- Each participant is to receive a stipend totaling a maximum of $3,000 (low intensity) to $3,600 (high intensity) for their work experience placement
- Recruiting can begin once funding confirmation is received
- Participant eligibility must be verified (see below) by successful applicants (guidelines to be provided)
- Each agency and participant will complete pre and post surveys
- All work experience placements must be completed by March 31, 2026
WEOG Applicants Eligibility and Criteria:
- Eligible Funded partners must be:
- Non-profit funded partners (societies) incorporated under the Societies Act (British Columbia); or
- Charitiesand qualifying donees registered federally under the Income Tax Act; or
- First Nation bands, governing bodies or Indigenous-led non-profits
- Based in or operating in British Columbia
- Registered non-profits or charities that own, operate, or administer a social enterprise are eligible to apply. (Note: For-profit owned business and social enterprises are not eligible)
- Social Enterprises may partner with a non-profit to provide work experience opportunities; however, the non-profit funded partner must hold and administer the grant and ensure compliance with all requirements
- Funded partners must be registered and in good standing (premiums, reporting) with WorkSafe BC, and must be compliant with all related Acts and Regulations
- Each applicant must commit to monitor and support each participant for the duration of the placement
- Organizations must adhere to all federal, provincial, and regional public health orders to reduce the transmission of communicable diseases
- Funded partners with an existing WorkBC contract may apply for funding, however the WEOG funded activities may not duplicate services already provided under WorkBC contracts
WEOG Participants:
Eligibility and Criteria:
The focus of grant funding is to support individuals who are recipients or eligible to receive income or disability assistance and who may have barriers to labour market participation.
- Each WEOG Participant must be:
- BCEA recipient or qualified to receive assistance under the Employment and Assistance Act; or
- On disability assistance or qualified to receive assistance under the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act; or
- Hardship Assistance (HA) recipients
- Income assistance through the Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment (PPMB) benefit
- Qualified to receive assistance from a Treaty First Nation that is funded through the Federal Department of Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada; or
- Qualified to receive assistance from a First Nation Administering Authority that administers an Income Assistance Program on behalf of Indigenous Services Canada.
- Each participant must be legally able to work in British Columbia.
- Indigenous people receiving equivalent federal assistance, can participate in work experience projects that occur only on Indigenous reserves or Treaty Lands.
- Individuals who have previously completed a work experience placement through the Work Experience Opportunities Grant may participate again in limited circumstances.
- Where required, participants may transition between low and high intensity streams to accommodate changes in need for supportive services, employment readiness, etc. This transition may occur at the discretion of the grant holder; however, the grant holder must notify UWBC of the change.
Deadline: July 15, 2025
