EMBERS

What EMBERS does

EMBERS (legal name: Eastside Movement for Business and Economic Renewal Society) is a registered Canadian charity (CRA registration 869910513RR0001) and social enterprise founded in 2001 in Vancouver. The organization runs an integrated employment ecosystem built around three programs: EMBERS Staffing Solutions (the primary revenue-generating temp staffing arm with four branches across British Columbia and Alberta), EMBERS Training (certified skills training in TCP, CSO, OFA, forklift, fall protection, WHMIS, plus youth programs BladeRunners and Building Better Futures), and the now-closed Eastside Works low-barrier employment hub (permanently shuttered on June 30, 2025). EMBERS serves two distinct customer sets: employers seeking reliable temporary and temp-to-perm labour (anchor clients include Darwin Construction, EllisDon, PCL Construction, Chandos, Icon West, Purolator, and Film Vancouver Productions), and job seekers facing barriers to traditional employment including homelessness, addiction recovery, newcomer status, and lack of Canadian work experience.

Name

EMBERS

Legal name

Eastside Movement for Business and Economic Renewal Society

Website

https://emberscanada.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EMBERS is a Vancouver-based registered Canadian charity and social enterprise operating EMBERS Staffing Solutions, a four-branch temp staffing agency across BC and Alberta, serving construction, logistics, and event employers while providing jobs, certified training, and wraparound support to workers facing barriers to employment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Staffing placement fees: EMBERS Staffing Solutions generates revenue by placing workers with employer clients on a temporary, contract, and temp-to-perm basis. Fees are earned from the employer for each placement or labour hour. As a social enterprise, 100% of profits are reinvested into community programming including worker support, training, and equipment loans.
2. Charitable donations and fundraising: EMBERS is a registered Canadian charity (CRA registration 869910513RR0001) that relies on donations to fund its worker support programs, training, equipment lending libraries, and the annual Against All Odds Charity Golf Tournament as a major fundraiser.
3. Grant funding: EMBERS receives grant funding from government sources (City of Vancouver, Province of BC, Health Canada) and foundations to support specific programs such as Eastside Works, Peer Employment Program, and Chinatown Stewards. The organization received over $1M annually in provincial funding for peer work in the DTES from 2021-2023.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

EMBERS is a registered Canadian charity and social enterprise that provides temporary and permanent staffing services to employers in Western Canada through EMBERS Staffing Solutions, while offering free certified skills training and wraparound support to individuals facing barriers to employment. The organization places workers in construction, warehousing, events, hospitality, administration, and cleaning roles across four branches in British Columbia and Alberta, with 100% of staffing profits reinvested into community programming including training, equipment loans, and worker support.

Product overview

EMBERS (Eastside Movement for Business and Economic Renewal Society) is a registered Canadian charity operating as a social enterprise with three core programs: EMBERS Staffing Solutions (the primary revenue-generating temp staffing agency serving Western Canada), EMBERS Training (certified skills and career development programs including youth-specific offerings), and formerly Eastside Works (low-barrier employment hub closed June 2025). The organization functions as an integrated employment ecosystem where Staffing provides job placement, Training offers certifications and skills development, and support programs (Worker Support, Matched Savings, Lending Libraries) remove barriers to employment. All profits from Staffing are reinvested into charitable programming. The portfolio also includes specialized youth programs (BladeRunners, Building Better Futures) and the Learn and Earn Enhanced program for new immigrants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EMBERS Staffing Solutions Full-service staffing agency serving Western Canada with four branches across British Columbia and Alberta, providing temporary and permanent placement for construction, warehousing, events, hospitality, administration, and cleaning industries. Acts as the primary social enterprise arm generating revenue to fund EMBERS' charitable programs, with same-day staffing capability and direct-hire conversion.
• EMBERS Training Provides hard and soft skills training to people entering or re-entering the workforce, including certified skills training (Traffic Control Person, Hoist, Forklift, CSO, First Aid, Fall Protection, WHMIS) and career development programs. Free for eligible participants, with training materials, lunch, bus passes, and wraparound supports included.
• BladeRunners Career exploration program for youth aged 15-29 providing job readiness skills, work experience, job coaching, and ongoing supports including certified skills training. Free for eligible participants.
• Building Better Futures Youth training program designed to help youth enter the construction and trades industries, providing pre-employment support, certified skills training, and pathways into EMBERS Staffing.
• Learn and Earn Enhanced Career advancement program enabling EMBERS workers to gain certifications, mentoring, career exploration, and skills to advance in their careers, with a dual focus on construction training and helping new immigrants enter the Canadian workforce.
• Chinatown Stewards Grant-funded community stewardship program employing individuals in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to create a safer, more inclusive community. Funded by the City of Vancouver and continuing after the Eastside Works program closure.
• Eastside Works Low-barrier innovation hub that provided walk-in employment services, job placement referrals, and wrap-around support for individuals with complex barriers to traditional employment in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Operated as a 3-year pilot project from 2018 with City of Vancouver support, and permanently closed on June 30, 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,744 workers employed in 2023; over 1,700 individuals in 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, minor and core.

• End Poverty EdmontonsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023End Poverty Edmonton, a city-supported initiative, helped familiarize EMBERS with the Edmonton area when EMBERS was expanding its first out-of-province location in May 2023. They connected EMBERS with community groups and key stakeholders in community economic development.
• Bigfoot Crane AcademysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023EMBERS partnered with Bigfoot Crane Academy and the Canadian Home Builders' Association of BC to deliver a Virtual Reality Construction Training program using CM Labs Vortex Advantage simulators. Nine youth completed the first cohort in Abbotsford, exploring tower cranes, mobile cranes, excavators, and other heavy equipment operation.
• Canadian Home Builders' Association of BCsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnered with EMBERS and Bigfoot Crane Academy for the VR Construction Training program for youth, providing access to heavy equipment simulation technology.
• UBC Learning ExchangesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023UBC Learning Exchange partnered with EMBERS Eastside Works to launch the CLEAR (Climate Equity and Resilience) Project, providing climate information, resources, and peer advocacy development for Downtown Eastside residents.
• MET Fine PrintersminorOthers · 1 January 2023MET Fine Printers created a special edition commemorative booklet for the Vancouver House + Icon West project, featuring a beautifully foiled cover. They support EMBERS' worker story publications.
• Chandos ConstructionsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Chandos Construction is an employer partner that has hired EMBERS workers, including Tereas who works at Chandos' Northwestern Polytechnic site in Grand Prairie. Chandos was also a Drink Sponsor at EMBERS' 2023 Golf Tournament.
• Kinghaven Treatment ProgramsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Kinghaven is a recovery and treatment program that referred Bert to EMBERS through the Purpose Project, a skills training and support program. Bert went through the Ministry program at Kinghaven to get certifications including telehandler and hoist before joining EMBERS Staffing.
• PCL ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2016PCL Construction has partnered with EMBERS since September 2016 across multiple Vancouver and Abbotsford projects. Currently, EMBERS provides 25+ workers daily to the New St. Paul's Hospital project (BC's most extensive hospital redevelopment). PCL has utilized EMBERS for same-day staffing needs and direct-hire conversions. PCL describes EMBERS as their 'go-to organization for workers with short notice.'
• EllisDoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016EllisDon has been an EMBERS partner since 2016, initially under a Community Benefit Agreement for the Parq Resort & Casino project. The partnership has continued onto the Oakridge Redevelopment project (28-acre mixed-use development), currently employing 15–18 EMBERS workers. EllisDon was the Dinner Sponsor at EMBERS' 13th Annual Golf Tournament, bringing 32 additional players. Some EMBERS workers have converted to full-time EllisDon employees.
• Icon West ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Icon West Construction has partnered with EMBERS for multiple projects including Vancouver House, Pendrell, Joyce Station, and ICON West. The partnership has resulted in several EMBERS employees being hired permanently by Icon. EMBERS celebrated the completion of Vancouver House with a special edition booklet commemorating the workers and projects.
• RiggitsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014Riggit is a full-service supplier of rigging, lighting and labour services for events and concerts. They have been an EMBERS partner for over 10 years, regularly calling EMBERS first when extra bodies are needed. Riggit made the largest donation in the history of EMBERS' 100 Boots Campaign with 400 pairs of steel-toe boots donated, followed by a total of 600 boots over two years to EMBERS' Lending Libraries.
• The Home DepotsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013The Home Depot presents the annual 'Golden Hammer Award' to the most outstanding EMBERS Staffing worker of the year, recognizing exceptional performance and professional excellence.
• Darwin ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Darwin Construction is one of EMBERS' oldest and most significant partners, having worked together since 2009. They have served as title sponsor of EMBERS' Annual Charity Golf Tournament for 13 consecutive years. The partnership has included staffing for major projects including the SRO Renewal Initiative (2012, employing 1,666 people, $3.6M in wages) and the Lonsdale Square multi-site project (100+ workers placed). Darwin is described as a champion of EMBERS' mission and instrumental in the social enterprise's early success and reputation in the construction industry.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Building Up: Toronto-based social enterprise providing construction skills training and employment placement for people facing barriers. Closest direct analog to EMBERS Staffing Solutions in mission, training-plus-placement model, and construction-industry focus, though operating in Ontario.
• Mission Possible: Vancouver-based social enterprise providing transitional employment, training, and wraparound support to individuals facing barriers. Operates in the same BC market as EMBERS with a similar employment-first social-enterprise model.
• Build Social Enterprise (Build) (formerly Build Toronto): Canadian social enterprise operating in the Greater Toronto/Hamilton area providing trades training and social-enterprise employment pathways. Comparable training-plus-employment model for people facing barriers to the trades.
• CivicWorks: Baltimore-based nonprofit social enterprise focused on workforce development, job training, and community service, including construction and landscaping. Closest U.S. analog to EMBERS' training-plus-placement social-enterprise model.

Broad incumbents

• Randstad Canada: One of the largest global staffing firms operating in Canada, including industrial, construction-adjacent, and logistics placements. Comparable as a large-scale temporary staffing competitor; broader portfolio and not focused on barriered workers.
• Adecco Canada: Global staffing leader with a sizable Canadian footprint across industrial, construction, logistics, and administrative placements. Competes for the same employer clients on price and breadth rather than social-impact positioning.
• ManpowerGroup Canada: Major global staffing and workforce-solutions company operating across Canada, including industrial, construction, and logistics segments. Comparable as a large incumbent with broader geographic and segment coverage than EMBERS.
• Robert Half Canada: Large specialized staffing firm with strong Canadian presence, focused on administrative, finance, and professional placements. Adjacent competitor in the office/admin temp segment EMBERS serves.
• Express Employment Professionals (Canada): North American franchised staffing firm placing industrial, commercial, and administrative workers. Comparable in light-industrial and general-labor temporary placements across Western Canada.

Regional players

• March of Dimes Canada — Employment Services: Canadian nonprofit providing employment services for people with disabilities and barriers. Mission-aligned with EMBERS but primarily delivers government-funded employment services rather than operating a commercial staffing agency, with broader geographic reach across Canada.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/embersorg
• Instagraminstagram.com/embersorg
• Xx.com/embersorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/EMBERSorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EMBERS