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Your future starts here.

Are you currently employed and identify as living with a disability? Do you want to upskill or get ahead in your career?

ADVANCE is here to support you on your journey of professional growth and success.

Let's connect

Fill out the form and we’ll be in touch shortly! Or, contact us via our live chat. 

Name *
Location *
Phone
Email *
Are you currently employed, or self-employed? *
Do you self-identify as having a disability? *

ADVANCE is a LEAD program that offers personalized upskilling opportunities tailored to individuals aiming for better career prospects, with a curriculum that aligns with specific work goals. Participants will embark on a structured journey, including goal setting, customized training plans, hands-on work experience, and progress measurement.

Throughout this experience, attendees benefit from a personalized training approach, consistent career coaching, assistance in accessing funding and resources, and comprehensive career development support.

Joining ADVANCE gives you access to the following benefits

Personalised Approached

Our program is designed around your aspirations, ensuring that your training plan is tailored to your unique career goals.

Supportive Environment

Throughout your upskilling journey, our career coaching team will be there to guide and support you, celebrating your achievements and helping you overcome any challenges that arise.

Access to Funding
& Resources

We understand that financial considerations can be a barrier to learning. Therefore, we are dedicated to assisting you in accessing various funding options and resources.

Comprehensive Career Development Support

From building your resume and refining job search strategies to honing negotiation skills and conducting industry research, our support encompasses all aspects of your career development.

Sounds great! So, what would we be doing?

ADVANCE will support you with:

  • Upskilling Needs: Together, we will review your goals, opportunities, and available resources to chart a path for your upskilling journey.
  • Training Plan: We will identify the essential skills, knowledge, and support you need to achieve your career objectives.
  • Work Experience: Putting your newfound skills into practice, you’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience.
  • Measure Success: We will help you measure your progress and equip you with the tools needed for sustained success.

Eligibility Requirements

  • You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have been granted refugee status in Canada.
  • You must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
  • You should identify as having a permanent or recurring disability (physical, mental, neurodevelopmental, or other) that restricts your ability to perform regular activities.

What is the definition of disability, as it relates to employment?

Disability (self-disclosed or officially designated) in the context of employment

Refers to a condition that hinders or limits an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks or work-related tasks or participate fully in the workforce.

Disabilities can be physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, or mental health-related. These impairments may be permanent, temporary, episodic, or fluctuating but must have been present for a sustained period of time.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Physical Disabilities: Mobility impairments, chronic pain conditions, and conditions affecting dexterity or coordination.
  • Sensory Disabilities: Issues related to vision or hearing.
  • Cognitive Disabilities: Learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disabilities.
  • Mental Health Disabilities: Conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and others.

Find the stream that best suits you and your needs.

Stream 1

Enhanced Employment Assistance Services

  • Labour market information and information on other employment-related resources;
  • Employment counselling
  • Job placement
  • Employment preparation or employability activities
  • Individual or group training
  • Provision of job coaches

Skills for Employment

  • Assist participants who require skills upgrading to obtain
  • employment.
  • Training may include social emotional, pre-employment skills, or industry-specific skills.
  • Supports include: Mentoring, dependent care, supportive or assistive technology etc


Work Experience / Enhanced Employer Supports

  • Up to 24 weeks of wage subsidy to assist participants to find flexible working arrange to meet the individual needs of the participants.
  • Support the Work Experience employers preparing them for the integration of persons with disabilities into their workplace. Supports include:
    • Promoting strategies and tools to help support inclusive employment
    • Management coaching, employee training & human resources support
    • Developing employer policies and procedures

Stream 2

Business Development Series

This stream of ADVANCE is for employers, we can provide support to you so you can support your staff!

Partnering with the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce, who are hosting various industry speakers on various topics relating to inclusivity in the workplace.

This stream includes:

  • Employer Information Sessions on inclusion and accessibility to support the hiring, inclusion, retention, and career advancement of persons with disabilities.
  • Workplace mentoring
  • Wage subsidies
  • Training for your staff


Enhanced Employer Supports

  • Education and training opportunities
  • Management Coaching
  • HR Support with retention strategies
  • Accommodations Support
  • Matching Services

Stream 3

General

We support participants with disabilities who are employed full-time or part-time or who are self-employed, to gain greater knowledge and essential skills to advance in their careers.

Funding is provided specifically to assist clients in addressing a barrier or barriers to achieve their goals.

While with us at ADVANCE, you also have access to:

  • Access to professional and certified counsellors
  • Workplace mentoring
  • Job coaching
  • Career counselling, and
  • Mental Health Supports

Are you ready to ADVANCE yourself? 🚀

Let's connect

Fill out the form and we’ll be in touch shortly! Or, contact us via our live chat. 

Name *
Location *
Phone
Email *
Are you currently employed, or self-employed? *
Do you self-identify as having a disability? *

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Creston

Phone: 250 428 5655
Fax: 250 428 5336
Email: kesadmin@kes.bc.ca
Address: 119 11th Avenue North, Creston, BC, V0B1G0

Cranbrook

Phone: 250 489 5117
Fax: 250 489 0663
Email: cranbrook.admin@kes.bc.ca
Address: #210 1113 Baker Street, Cranbrook, BC, V1C1A7

Fernie

Phone: 250 423 4204
Email: fernie.admin@kes.bc.ca
Address: 302 2nd Avenue, Fernie, BC, V0B1M0

Invermere

Phone: 250 341 6889
Fax: 250 341 6886
Email: invermere.admin@kes.bc.ca
Address: 2-503 7th Avenue,
Invermere, BC, V0A1K0

Creston

Phone: 250 428 5655
Fax: 250 428 5336
Email: kesadmin@kes.bc.ca
Address: 119 11th Avenue North, Creston, BC, V0B1G0

Cranbrook

Phone: 250 489 5117
Fax: 250 489 0663
Email: cranbrook.admin@kes.bc.ca
Address: #210 1113 Baker Street, Cranbrook, BC, V1C1A7

Fernie

Phone: 250 423 4204
Email: fernie.admin@kes.bc.ca
Address: 302 2nd Avenue, Fernie, BC, V0B1M0

Invermere

Phone: 250 341 6889
Fax: 250 341 6886
Email: invermere.admin@kes.bc.ca
Address: 2-503 7th Avenue,
Invermere, BC, V0A1K0

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Land Acknowledgement

Kootenay Employment Services and our employees are committed to the continuous understanding of truth and reconciliation. We respectfully acknowledge that we live and work on the unceded traditional and current territories of the Ktunaxa Nation, including the Yaqan Nu?kiy,ʔaq̓am, Yaqit ?a’Knuqǂi’it, and ʔakisq̓nuk as well as the Shuswap Band. Unceded means that the land was never agreed to be signed away.