The Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce is putting on a trade show May 8-10 to benefit local economic development, and thanks to nearly $11,000 in provincial Job Creation Partnership funding, one person will get event planning and office administration work experience.

This worker will help plan the trade show, scheduled to take place at Quesnel’s Twin Arenas, while sharpening his marketing and advertising skills over 23 weeks of on-the-job experience.

The trade show will bring local businesses together to showcase their products and services, including all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles, financial planning and real estate sales, as well as fencing and landscaping. This will benefit the community by displaying the wide array of products and services available in Quesnel and give local businesses an opportunity to expand their client base.

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, approximately 500 job seekers have benefited from work experience and 130 projects have been funded throughout the province.

The Community and Employer Partnerships fund 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 −

“Getting work experience is so important in order for people to be job-ready. This Community and Employer Partnership is another great example of somebody getting work experience in event planning for an important local trade show that will help the person transfer into a job.”

Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes −

“I am pleased to see the Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce developing a trade show to feature the services and products available in Quesnel, giving businesses an opportunity to expand their clientele base and connect with other businesses in the community.”

Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce president William Lacy −

“The chamber is excited to have a Job Creation Partnership participant to help plan the trade show. The additional funding, combined with a full-time participant, will help us achieve our goal of ensuring that the show will be beneficial for all businesses in Quesnel, as well as the community as a whole, and will become one of Quesnel's premier spring events.”

Job Creation Partnership participant Reagan Lusk −

“I'm looking forward to using the Job Creation Partnership to enhance my work experience and build strong networks within my local business community.”

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
• Crown corporations
• 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