NEWS

What is the NEWS Program?
The NEWS program is designed to assist unemployed people who are having difficulty finding full-time work due to a lack of skills or work experience. It does this by providing temporary wage subsidies to employers who hire and train eligible program candidates.

Who is an eligible candidate?
Unemployed individuals either receiving EI or who have had a claim in the last three years (five years for maternity/parental claims), who are on an active job search and who lack skills or experience for their employment goal. Also, they cannot be a previous employee of the company or a relative of the owner(s)/manager(s).

How do I find out if the person I am interested in hiring is eligible for the NEWS program?
Ask the potential candidate to connect with an EAS Service Provider (NIEFS, The Opportunity Zone or The Job Shop) who will then refer them to the NEWS program.

The NEWS Service Coordinator will confirm eligibility with the candidate and set up an intake appointment.

NOTE: The candidate cannot start work until the Wage Subsidy contract is signed.

Who is a suitable employer?

• A legal business, usually located from Mud Bay north on Vancouver Island. Under some circumstances we may be able to work with an out-of-area employer.
  
• The business must have been operating for at least one year.
  
• The position must normally be full-time. Please contact one of the Service Coordinators listed below for more details.
  
• The position must be ongoing after the subsidy ends.
  
• The employer cannot have any employees on lay-off from the position the client is being hired for.
  
• The potential employee cannot be a relative of the owner or any manager of the company.
  
• The potential employee cannot have been previously employed by the business.

How much is the subsidy?
That depends. The length and percentage of the subsidy is determined by the amount of training the candidate will need to become competent on the job and budget availability. The NEWS Service Coordinator will discuss the candidate’s qualifications and the job description with the employer.

How long does it take to get the subsidy in place?
Once the client and employer have made contact with the NEWS program and completed the appropriate paperwork, it can take as little as 24 hours to complete a signed contract.

How is the candidate paid?
The employer pays the candidate as they would any other employee. NEWS will reimburse the employer for the subsidy amount once a month.

How much paperwork is there?
Very little. The employer will receive a one-page application form and be asked to provide a detailed job description for the position. They will sign a contract, which the NEWS Service Coordinator will prepare.

Once a month, the employer submits a claim form (with copies of payroll stubs and time sheets) and a short monitoring questionnaire. That’s it.

What if there is a problem with the employee?
The employer-employee relationship with a Wage Subsidy candidate is the same as with any other employee. Employment can be terminated by either party, according to Employment Standards and BC Labour laws, at which point the Wage Subsidy contract will end. The NEWS Service Coordinator is available to help resolve on the job employment issues if requested by either party.

If you would like more information, please feel free to contact the NEWS Service Coordinator in your area.

Comox Valley: Janet Hansen (250) 703-0277
Campbell River, Sayward, Gold River: Kathie Landry (250) 287-3557
North Island: Kelly at the Opportunity Zone (250) 949-5736