Four people are revving up the chainsaws and getting experience in the forestry industry through a Job Creation Partnership with the Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society, thanks to $143,000 in government funding.

Participants are getting 39 weeks of on-the-job experience working on a North Thompson fencing and trails restoration program. Workers will re-establish and create trails, overhaul a local campsite, repair fencing, plant 2,000 tree seedlings, treat invasive weeds and maintain 120 geocache sites for outdoor treasure hunters. They also will gain skills in working with chainsaws, computer mapping and GPS while earning industry and WorkSafeBC certification.

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 Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint that helps align training and education with in-demand jobs and provides greater support to people struggling to gain a foothold in the job market or who face unique challenges.

Quotes:

Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae -

“Geocaching and camping are great ways to explore the outdoors in B.C. This Community and Employer Partnership is not only helping to make the North Thompson even more attractive but it’s helping people get transferrable work experience in forestry and technology.”

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake -

“This project is providing participants with hands-on skills development in forestry and environmental management. Thanks to this partnership the community will benefit from newly restored trails, campsites and marked geocache sites which will be a great attraction for both residents and visitors in Barriere.”

Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society executive director Mike Francis -

“We are pleased the Government of B.C. is supporting this initiative in our community. The participants are gaining valuable work experience in GPS and computer mapping, silviculture and trail restoration throughout the duration of the partnership.”

Project participant John Narcisse −

“This program is giving me the experience and confidence with power saws I need. I feel a lot more comfortable applying for a saw operating job now. I can also do maintenance and minor repairs to the saws now.”

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.
• The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• 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/sdsi

To view a photo of participants in action: http://ow.ly/yNsfc

Media Contacts:

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