Work-Able Accessible Employment Program

On this page

• What is Work-Able?
• Who are Work-Able employees?
• Where do Work-Able employees work?
• Work-Able program support
• Work-Able roles and responsibilities
• Information for potential applicants
• Information for host ministries
• What are the 2025-26 timelines for Work-Able?

What is Work-Able?

The Work-Able Accessible Employment Program coordinates paid employment opportunities across the BC Public Service for recent post-secondary graduates self-identifying as having a disability. All placements are currently 12 months long from September to September. Work-Able encourages people with disabilities to consider the BC Public Service as a career choice and fosters an inclusive workplace culture through shared learning and experience.

Who are Work-Able employees?

Work-Able employees are people with disabilities who recently completed their post-secondary education and are interested in pursuing a career in the BC Public Service. Successful candidates must meet all eligibility criteria and pass all stages of recruitment including a comprehensive questionnaire, written assessment, behavioural competency interview and past work performance check.

Where do Work-Able employees work?

Work-Able employees work across the BC Public Service in temporary positions developed by host ministries. Each year Work-Able invites ministries to participate in the program by hosting one or more Work-Able employees. Interested ministries submit their proposal to Work-Able, including a job profile for the projected role and responsibilities. Work-Able positions are developed by participating host ministries but must meet the program’s requirements and align with its position guidelines. Positions are typically developed by the direct supervisor or manager for the placement.

Work-Able program support

Work-Able provides ongoing support, learning and professional development opportunities throughout the internship.

Support for employees

• Orientation week
• Cohort meetings
• Program days
• Regular check-ins
• Learning fund for continuing studies
• Networking opportunities
• ​Career and application supports
• Assigned mentor

Supports for supervisors and mentors

• Work-Able orientation sessions
• Group meetings and learning sessions
• Advice and coaching for accommodations
• Curated information and resources
• Dedicated MS Teams channel

Work-Able roles and responsibilities

Supervisor

When supervising a Work-Able employee, supervisors have the same responsibilities and accountabilities as when supervising other employees. Find more information about supervising in the BC Public Service on the Resources, training and support for supervisors page. New supervisors should explore the recommended training for supervisors and managers on the Learning Hub (IDIR restricted) before signing up to supervise a Work-Able employee.

Work-Able supervisors also participate in Work-Able programming and events during recruitment, hiring and the duration of the program.

Mentor

Mentors play an important role in the overall experience of Work-Able employees. They are a trusted resource providing advice and support in the workplace. Mentors help Work-Able employees to understand their duties and responsibilities in the workplace and assist them in navigating workplace culture. They also support networking and career development opportunities.

Mentors do not have a reporting relationship with Work-Able employees. They do not assign work and are not responsible for holding their assigned mentee accountable for their work.

Executive sponsor

Executive sponsors have an important role in supporting the continuity of a ministry’s participation in Work-Able. If a supervisor moves on to a new role, the executive sponsor helps identify a new or temporary supervisor for the employee and supports the transition as the new supervisor is oriented to their roles and responsibilities.

Work-Able team

Work-Able is responsible for the design, implementation and continuous improvement of the program.

• Before the annual program begins, the Work-Able team leads the recruitment and hiring processes
• During the program, the Work-Able team carries out programming and events for employees, supervisors and mentors
• The Work-Able team also provides advice and financial support for supervisors to implement accommodations in the workplace

Information for potential applicants

What are the benefits to being a Work-Able employee?

• Paid experience and a strong foundation for a career in the BC Public Service
• Learn about different roles and potential career paths in government
• Peer support in a cohort of other recent graduates with disabilities
• Networking and professional development
• Dedicated support for disability accommodations in the workplace if needed
• Access to internal BC Public Service job postings for 24 months after successfully completing the program

How are Work-Able employees hired?

Recruitment is competitive and aligns with the hiring process for other jobs in the BC Public Service. Work-Able uses assessment and selection techniques to hire interns on the principle of merit including:

• Screening applicants
• Assessing applicants
• Rating applicants
• Conducting interviews
• Past work performance

Who is eligible to apply to Work-Able?

Work-Able welcomes post-secondary graduates identifying as having any type of disability to apply. This includes any physical, sensory, neurological, visible or invisible disabilities.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Recent post-secondary graduate with one of the following: 
  • Two-year diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctorate from a recognized post-secondary institution
  • Graduation date must be within 3 years of internship start date
• Self-identify as having a disability
• Resident of British Columbia
• Legally entitled to work in Canada

Work-Able does not ask applicants to disclose their specific disability or diagnosis.  

Apply to Work-Able

Work-Able applications are now closed for the 2025-26 internship cohort. This page will be updated in spring 2026 with details on the 2026-27 internship cohort. To be notified when the next application period opens, please contact the Work-Able team at Work.Able@gov.bc.ca.

Information for host ministries

What are the benefits to hosting a Work-Able employee?

• Temporary staffing for unique projects
• Full-service hiring (applicant screening, assessments, and interviews)
• Advice and financial support for implementing disability accommodations in the workplace like hardware, software, furniture or interpretive services
• Ongoing support for supervisors and mentors throughout the 12-month placement including networking and learning opportunities
• Empowers people leaders to champion accessibility and inclusion in the workplace
• Supports a skilled workforce that represents the communities we serve

How do I host a Work-Able employee?

Work-Able accepts proposals to host employees from interested ministries in December for positions starting the following September. There are 3 components to a ministry’s proposal to host a Work-Able employee: an expression of interest, job description and financial approval.

Not all interested host ministries are matched with a candidate. Successful Work-Able candidates are hired into positions based on skills, experience and position accountabilities.

Employment programs supporting reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion, including Work-Able Accessible Employment Program, are exempt from the current corporate direction regarding hiring in the BC Public Service.

Refer to the Work-Able Accessible Employment Program page on Compass (IDIR restricted) for detailed instructions on how to apply.

What is the Work-Able program fee?

In addition to the employee’s salary, host ministries pay a program fee to participate in Work-Able. The program fee supports the cost of:

• Workplace accommodations, including contracting assistive technology services and consultations
• Core programming like learning and professional development
• Travel for in-person events
• Staffing and administration

What are the 2026-27 timelines for Work-Able?

December to February: Ministry recruitment

• Recruitment of ministries to host Work-Able employees for 2026-27
• Ministry proposals must be submitted by February 27, 2026

March: Job posting is open

• The job posting opens in March for Work-Able positions beginning in September

April / May: Screening and assessment

• Work-Able screens candidates
• Candidates complete further hiring assessments, such as written assessments and oral interviews

June: Hiring and job offers

• Candidates are matched into available placement opportunities
• Successful candidates receive letters for positions beginning in September

July / August: Supervisors prepare for new Work-Able employees

• Order computers, hardware or software needed for the job
• Plan for employee onboarding and orientation
• Participate in Work-Able supervisor orientation

September: Program year begins

• Week of September 7: Work-Able leads program orientation for the 2026/27 cohort
• September 14: Work-able employees begin regular duties in their new job