As we honour Indigenous History Month and look ahead to Indigenous Peoples Day on Saturday, June 21st, one Vancouver nonprofit is showing what a healthy workplace can look like – and they say the “secret sauce” lies in purpose and community.
Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services (ACCESS) is a nonprofit organization that has delivered robust Indigenous employment and training programs since 1999. With a head office in West Vancouver, and additional offices to support clients in Surrey, New West, and several in Vancouver, ACCESS supports Urban Indigenous Peoples with training, education, funding and job placements, all with elements of Indigenous culture weaved into programming and support.
ACCESS
With toxic workplaces becoming more prevalent across Metro Vancouver and Canada, ACCESS has developed an environment where employees want to come to work each day. Their team provides both employees and customers true purpose through celebrations, and honouring various Indigenous Nations.
Recent data from Express Employment Professionals highlights the most common types of toxic workplace behaviour being exhibited. Survey results released in March show that gossiping (44%), unprofessional communication (36%), taking credit for others’ work (25%), bullying (20%), and harassment (18%) are common toxic workplace behaviours that affect employees.
When CEO Lynn White is asked what the “secret sauce” is for ACCESS, she says team members are dedicated and personally invested in supporting clients. ACCESS has 46 total team members, with 10 employees who have been with the organization for 10+ years and 7 additional employees who have worked there for between 5 to 10 years.
White adds that organizations like ACCESS play a vital role in creating spaces where Indigenous voices are prioritized, especially when many from the community feel disconnected and not completely seen in a traditional Canadian workplace.
Earlier this month, ACCESS held their Global Makeup Program with Blanche Macdonald Centre. Like all their programs, it incorporated various Indigenous cultural elements and activities.
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Since being founded, their team has been invested in developing programs that best serve the Greater Vancouver’s Urban Indigenous community.
To learn more about their education and training services, visit their website here.