The Employment Program of BC is putting unemployed British Columbians to work by investing $520,000 in 11 summer-themed Job Creation Partnerships throughout B.C.

The annual Coombs Fair has more than 100 reasons to celebrate this year, including a makeover at the Arrowsmith Agricultural Association buildings that host the event. Through more than $67,000 in funding, four local residents got up to 26 weeks of work experience in carpentry, roofing, masonry and landscaping, while learning basic construction techniques on the fairgrounds and outbuildings. The project wrapped up Aug. 8, 2014, just before opening day of the 101st Coombs Fair, which has been running since 1913.

Nearby, a second government-community partnership is wrapping up at the Coombs Rodeo where the grounds, outbuildings and community hall are being restored, providing up to 26 weeks of experience for another four local residents. Government invested more than $67,000 in this project as well, benefitting the Coombs Hilliers Recreation and Community Organization.

Other summer projects providing job opportunities throughout B.C. are taking place in partnership with:

• The City of Greenwood
• Salmon Arm Museum and Heritage Association
• Christina Gateway Community Development Association
• Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce
• Community Futures North Okanagan/North Okanagan Sport Society (Vernon)
• Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History (Cranbrook)
• Interlake’s Economic Association
• Greater Vancouver Regional District
• Grand Forks ATV Club trails

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

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

The Community and Employer Partnerships program is part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint that helps align training and education with in-demand jobs and provides extra 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 -

“Job Creation Partnerships are providing British Columbians with great work experience, while benefiting their communities and their visitors. The Province is investing in the potential of these job-seekers as they gain skills that can lead to more permanent employment.”

Arrowsmith Agricultural Association buildings coordinator Janet Boley -

“This project has been a real win-win for us at the Agricultural Association. We have many volunteers that are able to maintain the facility but we don’t have the capacity to do the major repairs that this Job Creation Partnership crew has done for us. The whole crew has been great to work with.”

Arrowsmith project participant Patricia Estabrooks -

“I’ve picked up skills that I thought I had lost. I’m feeling much more confident in what I’m doing now, and feel this will help me to find new future employment.”

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

For pictures of partnerships in action: https://flic.kr/s/aHsjtWwNYz

Media Contacts:

Lisa Leslie
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
250 213-7724

BACKGROUNDER

Jobs partnerships

Nine other community projects are active throughout B.C. this summer, providing recreational and tourism opportunities for British Columbians and visitors alike.

• The City of Greenwood:
  • Provincial partnership funding: $18,670
  • Starting on Aug. 11, 2014, three people will get 17 weeks of valuable work experience and skills development in construction, carpentry, painting and landscaping to beautify Greenwood’s historic downtown.
• Salmon Arm Museum and Heritage Association
  • Provincial partnership funding: $21,323
  • Four participants in the Salmon Arm area are getting 26 weeks of experience in construction, maintenance and heritage restoration at the RJ Haney Heritage Village and Museum. Two heritage houses, a log barn, and a lookout tower are being restored and split-rail fencing is being installed.
• Christina Gateway Community Development Association
  • Provincial partnership funding: $51,814
  • Four people are getting work experience in video production and editing, photography, website development, preparing/conducting surveys, planning/facilitating group sessions and marketing and promotions to digitize and market the trails system in the Christina Lake area.
• Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce
  • Provincial partnership funding: $78,592
  • Three people received 50 weeks of work experience and skill enhancement in construction and renovation techniques of the historic Canadian Pacific Railway Station that will be a Regional Visitor Gateway, including a tourism centre and the local Chamber of Commerce. This Job Creation Partnership project wrapped up Aug. 1, 2014.
• Community Futures North Okanagan/North Okanagan Sport Society (Vernon):
  • Provincial partnership funding: $1,000
  • One person developed a comprehensive searchable information database of infrastructure and facilities for use by the North Okanagan community to help develop and plan events, festivals and tournaments.
• Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History (Cranbrook):
  • Provincial partnership funding: $63,000
  • Six people are getting work experience and skills in interviewing, researching, presentation, marketing, computers and writing. They are building a public heritage walking tour, a history of education database and historical newsletters will be completed for use by the local residents, tourists and students in the Cranbrook area.
• Interlake’s Economic Association:
  • Provincial partnership funding: $4,050
  • Over the course of one year, one person will get work experience establishing and implementing a local farmers market and co-ordinating local events, such as a music festival, art walk, and garden tour.
• Greater Vancouver Regional District:
  • Provincial partnership funding: $95,434
  • Five people will receive work experience in trail construction, carpentry and landscaping working on the Experience the Fraser trail system in Surrey, South Langley, New Westminster and Burnaby.
• Grand Forks ATV Club trails:
  • Provincial partnership funding: $52,000
  • Three people will get work experience doing trail maintenance and basic carpentry between Grand Forks and Christina Lake. The workers will help build three multi-use sites that include an information kiosk, picnic bench, portable washroom and a loading/unloading station for ATVs. They will also help set up and take down the Grand Forks Fall Fair which runs Aug. 22-24, 2014.

Media Contacts:

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