Gastown Vocational Services (GVS), in partnership the Employment Program of British Columbia (EPBC) assists eligible clients with a mental health disability to obtain work experience, employment/community attachment and/or to access educational/skill training programs. One-to-one job coaching and supported employment/ educational services are delivered as needed.

GVS Occupational Therapist and Case Managers/Job Developers have specialized training and experience in relating to and accommodating for this specialized population. The GVS approach offers each individual client a highly supported, flexible employment/educational range of options designed to assist each client to reach their employment and /or volunteer community attachment goal.

This unique population necessitates flexibility in the type of services provided, the way in which services are delivered and the pace in which the goal of work experience/ education/employment is attained. Referred clients may have considerable work experience and can be 'fast-tracked' into job search, while others may have little or no previous work experience and will require more time and support to reach their vocational goal. We are able to customize services to meet the needs of all referred clients.

Employment services provided as needed. In coordination with the client's mental health treatment plan, GVS staff will provide the following:

Occupational therapy and/or vocational assessment
Pre-employment readiness sessions (one-to-one or group)
One to one job coaching (recovery orientated goal planning)
Employment career counseling
Resume preparation
Interview skills practice
Job shadows, work trials and/or work experience placements
Assistance with securing and maintaining volunteer or community attachment placements
Computer tutorials sessions/career and educational research
Assistance with job placement/job maintenance
Assistance entering/re-entering school or skill training programs