The Employment Inventory began as a result of the three-year Supported Competitive Employment Initiative, ending in 2003, that CMHA BC hosted with funding from the BC Ministry of Human Resources. The mandate of the project was to support people with mental illnesses (also known as mental health consumers) in securing competitive, mainstream employment. Central to this goal was the recognition of the role that paid employment can play in improving quality of life, not just through increased financial status but through an increased sense of participation in the community. Meaningful work is a key component to recovery.
Today, the inventory is a searchable database of more than 5400 services from more than 500 agencies that can help people with mental illness search for employment supports in their community—whether from the voluntary, public or private sectors. A glossary describes each service category, and multiple search options allow for cross-referencing to broaden or narrow a search as needed. The database is not comprehensive but it does bring together a number of services to help consumers access supports that can help. In its first year, the main browsing page for the inventory was accessed nearly 2400 times and more than 13,000 agency listings were pursued from the tailored search results. Agencies are contacted annually to update their listings.
From 2003 to the present-day, the ongoing maintenance and promotion of the inventory has been supported by gaming revenue from the Province of British Columbia.
Note
Please remember that the inventory is a listing of agencies and services that can help someone find employment, it is not a job catalogue or posting board.