Hammers will be ringing out this summer at the Vanderhoof Community Museum as four people get work experience, while a local tourist attraction receives a renovation and becomes more accessible, thanks to Job Creation Partnership funding.

The District of Vanderhoof is receiving more than $41,000 in Job Creation Partnership funding to employ a quartet of workers to install gutters, doors and windows, paint historic buildings and improve access for people with disabilities. Workers will install three wheelchair ramps to the Reimer residence, OK Café, and the Royal Bank building. Over the 22-week project, horseshoe pits will also be installed and a limestone pathway is being built to link other buildings on the site.

Job Creation Partnerships are a component of the Employment Program of BC’s Community and Employer Partnerships, which fund projects that increase employability and share labour market information throughout the province.

To date, more than 340 job seekers have benefited from work experience and approximately 100 projects have been funded.

The program is also part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint that helps align training and education with in-demand jobs and provides more support to those who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market or who face unique challenges.

Quotes:

Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae -

“Community and Employer Partnerships get boots on the ground for projects that benefit the job seeker, the community and the local economy. The Vanderhoof Heritage Restoration Project hits so many important targets. Participants get on-the-job experience, the community will benefit from the museum’s renovations and people with disabilities will have better access to the museum because of the new wheelchair ramps.”

Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad -

“The Vanderhoof Community Museum is a treasured historical resource and tourist attraction. Thanks to Community and Employer Partnership funding, workers are getting job experience and, once the project wraps up, the museum will be even more attractive and accessible to visitors.”

District of Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen -

“The Job Creation Partnership is a welcome program for the District of Vanderhoof. There are many local initiatives in our community which have operated on purely volunteer help and this project will help us, as a community, to build capacity and give the participants some great work experience.”

Job Creation Partnership participant Anna Clark -

“I am fairly new to the community of Vanderhoof and have had a chance to meet and work with several new people. I get hands-on construction and restoration experience on a project that I care a great deal about. I get to work on historic buildings to keep the past alive and gain skills that I will be able to use in my own house, as well as future jobs.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2014/15, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
• Funding supports 85 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
  • Job Creation Partnerships
  • Labour Market Partnerships
  • Project-Based Labour Market Training
  • Research and Innovation

Who is eligible?

• Businesses
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Municipalities, Agencies or Territorial Governments
• Bands/tribal councils
• Public Health and Educational Institutions

Learn More:

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

To find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca

To learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/hsd/index

To learn more about Accessibility 2024: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/06/premier-unveils-made-in-bc-accessibility-strategy.html

Media Contacts:

Grant Kerr
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
250 387-5635