Local job seekers, residents, communities, tourists and the local economy will benefit from more than $31,000 in Provincial Job Creation Partnership (JCP) funding to plan local arts, cultural and music festivals.

The Government of B.C. provided almost $10,000 to the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society to support the development of the 38th annual Vancouver Folk Musical Festival. The project provides two people with 26 weeks of work experience to assist with organizing the event. One worker will learn operation assistant skills, including handling permits, marketing and staging the event. The other worker will help co-ordinate a young artist’s songwriter’s workshop, which is run by three members of the band Said the Whale. The festival will take place July 17 to 19. The project started on April 27, 2015 and will end on Oct. 24, 2015.

The Vancouver Out On Screen Film and Video Society is also providing one person with 23 weeks of work experience, as part of a Job Creation Partnership project with the Province. The worker will learn event planning, marketing and web design skills while helping to plan the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, which will take place Aug. 13 to 23.

The Nakusp Medieval Society has received more than $21,000 to support the development of the first annual Nakusp Medieval Days Festival. Two workers are receiving 25 weeks of work experience, including event planning, promoting and selling tickets, bookkeeping and administrative skills, as well as stage setup. The festival will take place Aug. 1 to 2. The work experience project wraps up on Sept. 11, 2015.

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 Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market. It helps build stronger partnerships with industry and labour to connect British Columbians with classroom and on-the-job training, while making it easier for employers to hire the skilled workers they need, when and where they need them.

To date, more than 700 job seekers have benefited from work experience and more than 150 projects have been funded throughout the province.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation -

“Arts and culture festivals play an important role in creating healthy and vibrant communities and strengthening the economy. By investing in job creation projects like these, we provide British Columbians with the skills and training they need to reach their employment goals and support the arts. The participants, organizers and volunteers can be proud of their work to organize such important community events that really showcase B.C.’s rich and diverse arts and culture sector.”

Sam Sullivan, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek -

“Government is committed to helping people gain the skills they need to take advantage of our strong and growing economy. These projects are about partnerships and teamwork that create lasting benefits, provide employment and skills training opportunities for people looking for work and support economic and community development.”

An, Vancouver Folk Festival participant -

“My position at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival gives me the chance to do my dream job: coordinating the brand new Young Artist Program. While I am creating an opportunity for young musicians to learn from established artists, I myself get the chance to gain experience in the Vancouver arts scene and as well as make contacts that might lead to further employment in the future.”

Linda Tanaka, artistic managing director, Vancouver Folk Festival Society-

“The JCP is a great chance for arts organizations to expand their mandate. It also is extremely beneficial for participants wanting to get into arts management or work with non-profit organizations. Working with the festival provides them a stepping-stone to future employment.”

Anna Whelan, member services & communications co-ordinator, Creative City Network of Canada -

“In 2011, I was hired by the Vancouver Folk Music Festival as a JCP participant. This is an opportunity that would not have been available to me without this program. This initiative not only provided me with employment, but it also provided me with valuable experience and knowledge that enabled me to be admitted into the MA in arts and cultural management program at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. This then led to a job with the Creative City Network of Canada.”

Aubin, Nakusp Medieval Days participant -

“This program has been so much fun! I have learned so many new skills and its opened my eyes to new career choices and possibilities. Being part of this program has inspired me to reach higher than before; I have so many new job skills and way more confidence. I feel lucky to be a part of it and have enjoyed my time immensely.”

Daniel Abraham, director, Nakusp Medieval Society -

“This project has been an exciting and fascinating learning experience for all involved. I am so grateful to have been a part of building a new identity for the community, and I look forward to building upon our efforts in the future.”

Quick Facts:

• The purpose of the Community Employment Partnership initiative is to increase employment opportunities for unemployed British Columbians through the use of agency and business partnerships, shared information and technology, and innovative processes and practices.
• The goal of Job Creation Partnership projects is to increase opportunities for unemployed British Columbians by providing a wide range of experience that will make the participants more marketable to employers in a number of related occupations.
• Community and Employer Partnerships will also provide labour market information to communities and employers so that they can better address the needs of the community and help create jobs.
• 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
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has provided arts and cultural organizations with more than half a billion dollars.

Who is eligible?

• Businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Municipalities, agencies or territorial governments
• Bands/tribal councils
• Public health and educational institutions
• Crown corporations

Learn More:

Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

Vancouver Folk Music Festival: http://thefestival.bc.ca/

Nakusp Medieval Days: https://www.medievaldays.ca/

Vancouver Queer Film Festival: http://queerfilmfestival.ca/

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

The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi

B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint:www.workbc.ca/skills

B.C. Festivals and events: http://www.hellobc.com/british-columbia/things-to-do/festivals-events.aspx