Kelowna Frienship Centre OTDC Employment Area Office

Visit the OTDC Employment Area Office near you.

How to Apply

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It would be to an applicants’ advantage to provide the following documents to accompany training requests.  Failure to do so could result in delays.

  • Completed OTDC training package stating school attending and start and end dates
  • Social Insurance Number
  • Copy of resume
  • Acceptance letter from school
  • Invoice from school for tuition fees
  • Book list and prices from school attending
  • Supply list and prices if applicable from school
  • Course outline per semester – School registration statements
  • Letter explaining your plans and goals after completion of training.
  • Receipts if requesting reimbursement for any costs related to training
  • Do you need parking pass or bus pass attach amounts
  • Copy of ID
  • Direct Deposit Form from Bank
  • Transcripts and marks will be requested to show progress

NOTE: Ideally funding applications should be received 4 to 6 weeks prior to training start date to be considered.

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When applying for OTDC funding, it is recommended you first contact one of the Employment and Training Coordinators in your "Service Area" (see above "Service Area" Tab for Service Area Map and "Coordinators" Tab for List of Contacts), as they can assist with the application package process and/or employment counseling assistance.

However, when not possible, please review the following guidelines and procedures to ensure all forms required in an Application Package are completed, and your signature only affixed (where required), before submitting directly to OTDC.  Any missing forms or information may delay the application process. 

After application submission, please allow 2 to 4 weeks minimum for application processing before funding is needed. 

All OTDC web-site PDF forms need to be printed, and completed legibly, as required.  Fax, or scan and email, or mail, applications to OTDC for processing, with all applicable supporting documentation.

If employed and/or looking at a career change, do not quit your employment until you have sought employment counseling assistance first (see above "Service Area" Tab for Service Area Map and "Coordinators" Tab for List of Contacts).

Guidelines and Forms for INDIVIDUAL Application

Complete the OTDC Application Package and include:

 1) APPLICATION ATTACHMENTS QUESTIONNAIRE

  • This document consists of 7 questions with regards to the funding requested, and sets-up the basis for the application to be considered.  Most importantly, include the "Program Type Requested" (upper right corner).  When completing yourself you will be only concerned with 2 options; "Course/Seat Purchase" and "Youth/Student Development".  Taking your age into consideration indicate which of the 2 options you will select.
  • The bottom of page 2 of this document provides a "Support Documentation" check list to ensure you attach relevant documents to this application package. 
  • This document is signed by the Applicant at the bottom of Page 2.

2) APPLICATION FORM

  • This document is the official OTDC Application and must be completed for all requests for funding assistance on all OTDC training programs and all OTDC employment programs.
  • It is self-explanatory, therefore, complete relevant sections that apply to your situation, including the "Program" in the upper right corner (same as the questionnaire); "Location of Activity" (where will it take place); "Description" (a mini-summary of what the funding is for); "Contribution Request" (total funding required); and if any other sponsor(ship) funds and/or contribution(s) from other sources is/are available for split-funding.
  • Please provide as much detail as possible, including calculations from the financial forms, and any other explanations that will assist with the assessment and review. For allocated Rates, contact the Employment and Training Coordinator or Program Administrator for your "Service Area" (see above "Service Area" Tab for Service Area Map and "Coordinators" Tab for List of Contacts). 
  • This document is signed by the Applicant/Employer and the Employment/Training Coordinator at the bottom of Page 1; and the Program Officer/Council Recommendation (as applicable) at the bottom of Page 2. 

3) PARTICIPANT INFORMATION EXCHANGE (PIE)

  • This document is an OTDC-specific form that must accompany your application package.
  • It includes a proof of aboriginal ancestry section and other relevant information required to determine eligibility. 
  • This document is signed by the Participant/Trainee and the Employment/Training Coordinator (as applicable) in Section 3.

4) CONSENT FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION

  • Under freedom of information, OTDC/ARMS must have your consent to release information to, or receive information from, agencies and persons relevant to your application. 
  • Select applicable options and/or add any that are not included but are relevant to the application process.
  • Employment and Training Coordinators and Educational Institutions may also have you complete their own Consent Form in order for them to assist on your behalf. 
  • This document is signed by the Participant/Applicant and the Witness or Employment/Training Coordinator.

5) FINANCIALS

  • Section B: Training Expenses must be included in the application package as it is a breakdown and review of all possible training expenses.
  • Section A: Financial Budget will give a breakdown of your monthly income and spending for your application review process.
  • This document is signed by the Applicant on the bottom of the Section B page.

6) LETTER AND/OR RESUME FROM THE APPLICANT

  • Include a resumé and/or short 2-3 paragraph "To Whom It May Concern" Letter, describing your aboriginal ancestry background, and showing: (using the questionnaire as a guide) what you know about the labour market related to the training (pre-application LMI research below); any previous experience (volunteer, work and/or training); your willingness to relocate for work; and any other information which will provide the rationale for OTDC funding. 
  • The letter and/or resume are intended to provide some personal background about you, which could enhance your application and impact OTDC's decision to fund you or not.

7) SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

  • Attach a Course Outline with Learning Outcome, and Educational Institution Information, to your Application Package.   An interim/conditional Acceptance Letter can also be included, but the Enrollment Letter is required/preferred.
  • Include your Schedule with start/end dates (once you have registered), Costs, and the Enrollment Letter from the educational institution, in the Application Package.  

Guidelines and Forms for EMPLOYERS Application

If you are an Employer looking to apply for an OTDC program, in order to hire aboriginal person(s), the program details, including eligible employers and eligible costs, targeted participants, and other criteria, are available on this web-site. Please review prior to submitting your Application Package to ensure all forms required in an Application Package are completed, and all signature(s) affixed (where required), before submitting directly to OTDC.  Any missing forms or information may delay the application process. 

It is recommended you first contact one of the Employment and Training Coordinators in your "Service Area" (see above "Service Area" Tab for Service Area Map and "Coordinators" Tab for List of Contacts), as they can assist with the application process and/or employment counseling assistance.

A completed OTDC Application Package, for Workplace Training, Job Development Project/Individual Wage Subsidy or Targeted Wage Subsidy, and/or other Programs, will include:

  1. Rationale Brief – preferably on letterhead, dated, with authorized signature(s), and contains:
    • Reason/rationale – for the training, job development project/individual wage subsidy, and/or other programs, including start and end date(s) and any breaks-in-service, such as Christmas break (for example) or any other significant down-time;
    • The relationship – between the requested program(s) and the labour market;
    • Benefit(s) – to the client(s)/trainee(s) and/or employer;
    • Targeted client(s)/trainee(s) – student, youth, Reachback or EI recipient, Social Assistance recipient, other (specify);
    • Client(s)/trainee(s) particulars (if already known) – brief background, previous training/work, etc. OR indicate Individual documentation will be submitted once hiring process is done;
    • Budget details – wage costs, subsidy allocation costs, training costs, special costs, overhead costs, as required (can attach your budget breakdown/spreadsheet, as well); and
    • Additional program details – all which enhance your rationale, including any other sponsor funds and/or contribution(s) from other sources, whether new or existing position(s) and/or project(s), future plans for the position(s) and/or project(s), expected outcomes, work activities, supervision, hours of work, pay details, training on-the-job and off-the-job, etc.
  2. Application form – same/similar as above individual application guidelines, but completed by the employer with employer-focused details.
  3. Job/Project Description(s) – for new and/or existing position(s) and/or project(s).
  4. Individual application documentation (if already known) – for (each) client(s)/trainee(s), same/similar as above individual application guidelines, but exclude the individual application form(s) and individual financial(s).  OR
  5. Submit Individual application documentation to OTDC (within 2 weeks once hired) – for (each) client(s)/trainee(s), same/similar as above individual application guidelines, but exclude the individual application form(s) and individual financial(s).  

Guidelines and Forms for Pre-Application

Emphasis on future employment of your career choice or trade, job prospects, training, and labour market research is key to the approval of your OTDC Application Package and OTDC may ask, at any time during the application process, what research emphasis was done. 

Therefore, it is recommended you complete the labour market information LMI Research forms, and Training Course Research forms within 4 to 6 months before submitting your OTDC Application Package. This research may assist you in determining which options are better for your future goals and what needs to be done to get there. 

Ideally, if possible, Job Shadow in your career choice or trade so that you are fully aware of what the job expectations are before proceeding further.  You may find out you do not like your choice of career with respect to the job expectations, and/or educational requirements, and better to find out before investing time and/or money in it. 

When possible, contact one of the Employment and Training Coordinators in your "Service Area" (see above "Service Area" Tab for Service Area Map and "Coordinators" Tab for List of Contacts), as they can assist you with arrangments for a Job Shadow experience; or set up on your own, include the particulars on the LMI Research form Cover Page, and add it to the OTDC Application Package

Guidelines and Forms for Contract Administration

Once your OTDC funding as been approved and a Contract has been completed, and signed, you may be required to submit additional OTDC-specific forms, as needed, such as the Claim/Advance and Activities Report forms, however, this direction will come directly from OTDC and/or the Employment and Training Coordinator(s).  You may be asked to obtain form(s) directly from the OTDC website or by way of further instructions from OTDC and/or the Employment and Training Coordinator(s).  

Karen Abramsen - OTDC Manager
Cell: 250-212-2999
Fax: (250) 707-8736
karen@otdc.org
Suite 339, 101-1865 Dilworth Dr.
Kelowna, BC V1Y 9T1

Debbie Conlin - OTDC Administrator
Cell: 250-550-6701
Fax: (250) 549-7175
otdc@telus.net
Suite 339, 101-1865 Dilworth Dr.
Kelowna, BC V1Y 9T1