Four people are gaining valuable work experience by helping to build the new Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR) training facility in East Sooke, thanks to $31,612 in Job Creation Partnership funding.

The participants were hired in August to carry out preliminary work and today, RCM-SAR kicked off the start of construction for the building. Until November, the participants will gain work experience in areas such as construction, site safety, landscaping and teamwork.

Once complete, the building will be the new training centre for British Columbia’s more than 1,000 marine rescue volunteers and store RCM-SAR’s Fast Rescue Craft Simulator.

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.

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue operates more than 40 rescue stations on British Columbia’s Coast and in the Interior. The crew is made up of more than 1,000 volunteers who respond to about 800 emergencies each year.

Quotes:

Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae −

“The participants in this program are getting valuable, hands-on work experience in the marine sector and I’m proud to say their work is supporting an organization that helps save lives on B.C.'s coastal waters.”

West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan −

“This Job Creation Partnership is a real benefit to Sooke. Once the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue training facility is built, it will be used to facilitate the training of hard-working volunteers to respond to marine emergencies.”

President, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Jim Lee −

“Our new training centre is very important for British Columbia’s more than 1,000 volunteer marine rescue crews, and the Job Creation Partnership is helping us make many improvements to our training facilities that we otherwise could not have done. Our JCP participants are doing wonderful work, and we are very pleased that we can provide them with meaningful work experience and some new skills to help with their job search.” 

Project participant David Steeves -

“Right away we received on-the-job training.  I really enjoyed the chainsaw safety course and earned a new certification. I appreciate the work experience and being able to earn an income while looking for a permanent job.”

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
• 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.

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