One hundred and forty-four British Columbians can now access a five-week training program to help them learn practical skills for employment in the growing building services sector, announced Minister of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Pat Bell.

The $429,598.40 in funding for the Building Service Worker training program is being delivered by the British Columbia Contract Cleaners Association (BCCCA). The project is designed to help eligible participants gain employment through five weeks of CleanSafe Training certification, WHMIS certification, WCB First Aid Level 1 certification, WCB Health and Safety Training, and ongoing support for all participants in their new employment positions.

The BCCCA expects to enrol 144 participants over a 17-month period. The project is delivered in partnership with the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS), Planet Clean, ProSafe First Aid Training School Ltd., and Life Skills Facilitators. Participants must be physically fit and Labour Market Agreement eligible - meaning they are bondable, unemployed, and not in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) or have not been eligible for EI for past three years.

Program graduates will have employment opportunities in custodial and chemical safety, housekeeping practices, infection control, washroom maintenance and window washing, carpet cleaning, and floor care. The program will also provide students with life skills and goal-setting techniques, cultural and personal development, a one-week work experience placement and ongoing career support.

The Building Service Worker training program is part of a Labour Market Sector Solutions project (LMSS) and is supported through the Canada - British Columbia Labour Market Agreement. The LMSS program is focussed on investing in skills training to meet the labour needs of B.C.'s growth sectors in partnership with sector organizations like the BCCCA.

Quotes:

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

"Our government's top priority is creating and protecting jobs for British Columbians, and we are doing that by supporting initiatives like the Building Service Worker training program. Our focus is on ensuring all British Columbians have access to skills training opportunities, regardless of their income level, background or job experience."

"This is about giving people the opportunity to train and gain skills that make them employable, so they can be an active participant in our labour market."

Iain Hunt, vice president, operations, Cleantech - president, BCCCA -

"The BCCCA is very pleased to have the opportunity to train much-needed workers for our industry. We are excited to work with the professionals at ACCESS and ProSafe whose expertise and experience in delivering this type of training are well suited to the successful delivery of the LMA program."

"We have seen tremendous support from the member companies of the BCCCA and, though only three weeks in, we already have a wait list to place the graduates of the next cohort of individuals from the program. Our members look forward to the opportunity to place such a large number of trained personnel."

Quick Facts:

• Over the next decade, British Columbia is projected to have over one million job openings. The BC Jobs Plan will ensure the over $500 million provided annually for labour market and training programs is targeted to meeting regional and industry labour market needs.

• As part of this annual expenditure, B.C. invests approximately $66 million a year - between 2008 and 2014 - in programs and services that help people get the skills they need to fill job opportunities in regions where they live and study. These programs and services are funded through the Canada - B.C. Labour Market Agreement (LMA).

• The LMA was signed in 2008 and provides the Province with $394 million over six years to invest in labour market programs and services for unemployed individuals who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) programs and services or employed individuals who are low-skilled. The current agreement expires on March 31, 2014.

• As a direct result of federal funding through the LMA, thousands of British Columbians are receiving training that will advance their careers, assist in securing new employment, and ultimately improve the economic outcomes of individuals, British Columbia and Canada.

• The objective of the Labour Market Sector Solutions program is to invest in the skills development of eligible participants, while assisting industries/sectors, employers and workers to address labour market needs throughout B.C.

Learn More:

Canada - British Columbia Labour Market Agreement, visit: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/labourmarketagreement/

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Skills and Training Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/skills-and-training-plan/

Looking for a one-stop resource for the working world? Visit WorkBC: http://www.workbc.ca/

To learn more about Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS), visit: http://www.accessfutures.com/

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-8177