"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.
The Employment Development department of the Mennonite Central Committee BC (MCC BC) began its work in 1990. Agora Employment Essentials was founded as a social enterprise in 2012 and became the employment division of MCC BC in 2020. While the name has changed over the years, the commitment to serving our participants has remained unchanged.
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 16-week paid training program that prepares you for the workplace, offering essential work skills training combined with practical hands-on experience. >>more >>
Bridging the Gap provides a safe, caring environment for women, offering support on the way to entering or re-entering the workforce. The program supports women who have experienced abuse & are seeking to (re-)enter the workforce.
Through our 14-week program, our staff will walk alongside participants to develop new skills and tools to gain independence, address the impacts of their abuse and grow their self-confidence.
The program typically runs Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Program intake happens in May, August, and December, keep your eye out for upcoming intake details.
Through the 14 weeks, you will gain:
An Understanding of You: Your Skills, Interests, Abilities, and Values
Mindfulness Training for Self-care | Skills for Finding and Keeping a Job
New Skills Training to Open New Opportunities | Career Possibilities
Personal Growth and Healing Workshops include:
Setting Boundaries | Building Healthy Relationships | Problem-Solving
Effective Communication | Self-Esteem | Addiction Awareness
Understanding Anger & Conflict | Positive Attitudes & Behaviors
Budgeting Skills | Goal Setting
Supports While You are in the Program:
Training Allowance | Child Care Top-up | Transportation | Clothing
Personal Coaching | Referrals for Free 1-on-1 Counselling
T: 604-859-6790 (Abbotsford)
T: 604-402-9108 (Chilliwack)
E: bridging@mcces.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!
For anyone able to work in Canada
Are you between the ages of 18-24 and unemployed?
Need work experience and skills for the workplace?
Offered in Abbotsford / Chilliwack / Hope
Are you between the ages of 16-30 and unemployed?
Need work experience and skills for the workplace?
Our Youth Get Jobs in YKW!
Offered in Abbotsford
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.
Join our team!
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.