Four people will be powering up some work experience building nine new campsites at the Bluejoint Creek provincial recreation site, thanks to nearly $153,000 in provincial Community and Employer Partnership funding for the Grand Forks ATV Club.

During the 28-week project, the Grand Forks ATV Club will supervise the trainees, who will be honing their carpentry skills by installing campsite picnic tables and building a variety of facilities, including washrooms, an information kiosk and a sheltered common area in the multi-use Bluejoint Creek site. The Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resources Operations is providing $20,000 to the project for building materials.

The workers also will build, clear and enhance hiking trail networks in Granby Provincial Park. A third part of the training for the workers will be organizing the 2015 Grand Forks Fall Fair, which takes place Aug. 28-30. The project will wrap up in November.

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. The Employment Program of BC is celebrating its third anniversary, having launched in April 2012.

To date, nearly 560 job seekers have benefited from work experience and nearly 140 projects have been funded throughout the province.

By 2022, B.C. is expecting one million job openings with more than two-thirds driven by retirements in an aging population. Government created the BC Skills for Jobs Blueprint to ensure more British Columbians have the skills they need to be first in line for in-demand jobs in B.C.'s diverse, strong and growing economy.

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:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation -

“B.C. needs skilled workers with solid work experience. Projects like this one in Grand Forks are providing individuals the skills to work with tools of the trade in a natural wilderness setting, which will help set them on a course to long-term employment.”

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations -

“Preparing people for work through these projects is a great investment for the province, as well as being a fabulous investment of time for participants, so they can get the training they need to get good jobs.”

Linda Larson, MLA for Boundary Similkameen -

“The Grand Forks area will benefit so much from having new campsites and well-maintained hiking trails, thanks to this Job Creation Partnership. Locals and tourists alike will be able to enjoy the great outdoors even more when this project wraps up.”

Doug Zorn, vice-president, Grand Forks ATV Club -

“The Grand Forks ATV Club is very pleased to be partnering with Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation. Job Creation Partnerships are a great benefit to participants, providing valuable hands-on work experience. The Boundary region has the potential to be a tourist destination creating many employment opportunities for the area. Well-organized, safe, multi-use trails have been proven to build healthy lifestyles, create a high regard toward wildlife and a better understanding of environmental responsibility by all users.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2015-16, 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 84 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

Learn more about the Grand Forks ATV Club: www.gfatv.ca

Find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca

Learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi

Learn more about B.C.’s recreation sites and trails: www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca

Media Contacts:

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