Facing a need for administrative employees in the Kelowna area, the Okanagan Education Centre is receiving more than $224,000 in provincial Community and Employer Partnership funding to help at least 20 people get work experience in that area.

Two groups of people will be trained in a program made up of 16 weeks of occupational skills training at the education centre, four weeks of on-the-job work experience with local employers and two weeks of job search support. This project, while not limited to older workers, is proving to be of interest to people over age 45 who are looking to upgrade their technological skills. The first group begins training on Nov. 3, 2014, and the second session starts April 13, 2015. The project wraps up after one year on Sept. 30, 2015.

Project-Based Labour Market Training helps groups of people with on- or off-the-job employment training and is a component of Community and Employer Partnerships, which was introduced in April 2012 as part of the Employment Program of BC.

To date, more than 450 job seekers have benefited from Community and Employer Partnership work experience and more than 120 community projects have been funded.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna -

“This project means hands-on work experience in the high-demand field of administrative work. It’s an opportunity to provide local job seekers with valuable training, and Kelowna businesses will benefit once these participants are ready for the workforce.”‎

Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae -

“Employees in the administration sector are really vital for running any office and this is a really efficient way to offer training, while providing an opportunity for people to learn together and ultimately be ready for employment.”

Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson -

“Getting a group of local people work experience, while upgrading their skills in administrative support is going to benefit many of Kelowna’s offices and businesses once workers finish their program.”

Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick -

“Administrative workers are so important in offices running smoothly and efficiently. This Community and Employer Partnership means that Kelowna’s office sector will get highly trained, valuable administrative support from these 20 participants.”

Okanagan Educational Centre president Dan Tellier -

“This exciting new employment initiative integrates training in the latest Microsoft Office suite and bookkeeping, along with essential skills, work search strategies and a four-week work experience. The Okanagan Educational Centre is proud of the Province of B.C. for recognizing the need to invest in this older work group who find themselves needing to upgrade their technological 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
  • 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 Job Creation Partnerships and Community and Employer Partnerships: http://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