Sekw’el’was (Cayoose Creek Indian Band) is providing work experience for eight people to help beautify the Seton River Lower Spawning Channel and the Sekw’el’was walking trail system, thanks to more than $115,700 in provincial Job Creation Partnership funding.

The partnership participants are getting work experience in landscaping design, landscaping and masonry over 26 weeks. The project wraps up Feb. 28, 2015.

When the project is completed, participants will have landscaped and beautified the Seton River Lower Spawning Channel, the Sekw’el’was walking trail system and built a fire pit at the band office, where cultural ceremonies and community gatherings will take place.

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

To date, more than 420 job seekers have benefited from work experience and more than 110 projects have been funded throughout the province.

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 more support to people 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 

“The Sekw’el’was landscaping project is a classic example of a Community Employer Partnership. It’s giving people work experience and benefitting the local region and the economy by beautifying the area and creating recreational and cultural opportunities for locals and tourists alike.”

Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart -

“This Job Creation Partnership will truly make a difference for participants to gain valuable work experience and skill development in masonry and landscaping. Residents and visitors in the Lillooet area will also benefit from the improvements on the Sekw’el’was walking trails and beautification of the community.”

Sekw’el’was (Cayoose Creek Indian Band) project manager Kim North -

“This Job Creation Partnership is a great opportunity for unemployed people from our small rural community to learn new skills and gain experience in the landscaping field. Our hope is that the participants will gain the skills and experience necessary to work with us, or other contractors in the future, or develop their own businesses.”

Participant Yvonne Michell -

“This program is going to help secure future job opportunities. I will be learning a lot of new skills, which will be fun and useful.”

Participant Andrew -

“The experience I will gain in this program goes well with my current training and experience. I am building on these skills.”

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, and 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

Media Contacts:

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