"Agora was instrumental in my success in returning to the
workplace. I could not have done it without this amazing team.”
Mary Jane N.
The word Agora is Greek for ‘open place of assembly’ and, early in the history of Greece, the agora was the area in the city where free-born citizens could gather to hear civic announcements, muster for military campaigns or discuss politics.
At Agora Employment Essentials, the ‘gathering place’ we aspire to is:
RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP: accountability for the resources we’ve been entrusted with
INTEGRITY: committed to speaking truthfully
SERVANT LEADERSHIP: leading by serving and investing in others to help them reach their full potential
SOCIO-ECONOMIC JUSTICE: dedicated to education and advocacy for social and economic justice
We do this with a ‘you-first,’ or client-focused perspective—it’s the core of who we are.
We first started as the Employment & Community Development department of the Mennonite Central Committee BC (MCC BC) in 1990. Agora Employment Essentials was founded as a social enterprise in 2012 and became a division of MCC Community Enterprises Inc. as of 2016.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and connect with us on LinkedIn to see what we’re doing right now!
We walk alongside you in the process of finding career ‘fit’, and help you develop the skills to find and keep that job. We support you in gaining personal management skills to keep you moving forward. We challenge you to reach higher and farther and to take risks.
We work with refugees, indigenous peoples, youth who have barriers, women who have survived violence…anyone who is unemployed or under-employed. Whether you’re a professional or new to the workplace, we can help you develop new skills.
We are great networkers and we’ll connect you with resources and people on the way to achieving your career goals. We have built solid community partnerships that will benefit you.
Our youth programs include exposure to different kinds of jobs and work environments–from retail to hospitality to digital to film–and come with a good chunk of real work experience.
We also help employers find the right employee, and then offer on-the-job support. And we’re part of creating value-added companies that provide employment and impact our communities.
Youth Keep Working is a 12-week paid training program that prepares you for the workplace, offering essential work skills training combined with practical hands-on experience. >>more >>
Kaleidoscope is a 12-week paid training program providing youth with the skills they need to overcome barriers and find success in employment and education. >>more >>
Catch 22 Solutions
“But I can’t get a job because I don’t have any experience!” Our 12-week paid training program is a great solution to that problem. Youth complete Catch 22 with a resume that reflects their new skills and experience, plus the confidence and know-how to find a job. >>more >>
Bridging the Gap provides a safe, caring environment for women
who are survivors of abuse, offering holistic support on the way to entering or re-entering the
workforce. Our staff will walk alongside as you develop tools to gain independence, heal
from old wounds and grow healthy self-confidence.
Workshops offered include:
Setting Boundaries | Building Healthy Relationships | Problem-Solving
Effective Communication | Self-Esteem | Addiction Awareness
Understanding Anger & Conflict | Positive Attitudes & Behaviors
We’ll also introduce you to great resources to grow your support network:
Personal Coaching | Career Development Workshops | Support Groups
Job Search Workshops | Self-Serve Resource Centers
Transportation & Nutritional Supports | Referrals for Free 1-on-1 Counselling
Chilliwack
Pam – Case Manager
Tel: 604-795-9675 ext. 4002
Email: chilliwackbridging@mccce.ca
Access these same services through our specialized staff in our partner offices:
Abbotsford
Cindy – Coordinator
Tel: 604-859-4500
Email: bridging@abbotsfordworks.com
Richmond
Manjit – Case Manager
Tel: 778-732-0285 ext. 2234
Email: manjit.kandola@aviaemployment.ca
“We have been very pleased with the students Agora has placed with us--the program seems to encourage many of the work ethics I look for in my employees.”
--She’s My Florist Shop
Our job search workshops are designed to give you the
support that leads to success.
Our staff and partners offer these services at WorkBC
Centres across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley!
Are you between the ages of 16 and 30?
Need work experience and skills for the workplace?
Richmond – Kaleidoscope
Chilliwack – Catch 22 Solutions
Abbotsford – Youth Keep Working
Contacting one of our partners’ employment centers gives you fast, free access to a diverse pool of potential employees. Recruitment services are free and tailored to your specific hiring needs.
“Thank you. You’ve done a great job!”
– – National Sales Manager, Western Interlok Systems Ltd.
Vancouver-South | Tel: 604-263-5005 | Email: postajob@ywcavan.org
Vancouver-West| Tel: 604-688-4666 | Email: postajob@ywcavan.org
Richmond | Tel: 1-855-201-2842 | Email: needtohire@aviaemployment.ca
Abbotsford | Nalish Ladha | Tel: 604-859-4500 | Email: nalishl@abbotsfordworks.com
Chilliwack | Tel: 604-795-9675 | Email: chilliwack@gthiringsolutions.ca
Our team is made up of caring, client-centered career development professionals. We believe in contributing to our communities and connecting our clients with resources that will lead to long-term growth and stability, both personally and professionally.
We have no current openings at Agora, but check MCC Community Enterprises’ website for positions advertised in the food service / customer service sector: http://mccce.ca/about-mcc-ce/careers/
