Jason Dann is 38 and has been in construction for more than a quarter century, but he’s been through some patches where he had to rely on federal Employment Insurance or provincial income assistance.

After getting more work experience building a supportive recovery home in Maple Ridge for Innervisions, he’s now hoping that his career is set. Helping to build Hammond House ─ a 17-bed, 650 square-metre (7,000 square-foot) facility for men ─ was gratifying.

(flickr.com)

He worked on the provincially funded, 31-week Job Creation Partnership project that also gave five others work experience. The project wrapped up in June when the home was completed.

“I’ve done all sorts of things in construction, except electrical and plumbing. This project let me brush up on some of my skills,” Jason said, including working with blueprints and learning more technical terms. He’s now working for a local stucco company. Ultimately, Jason’s goal is to start his own construction company and be his own boss.

Jason landed his part in the Job Creation Partnership through a referral from his local WorkBC Employment Services Centre. The work experience was good and he’d recommend similar projects to other workers who want to brush up on their skills.

“It was good. It had a lot to do with the kind of people we were working with. The general contractor was a good guy to work with and willing to share his knowledge,” Jason said.

The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured as a component of the B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. The Blueprint 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.

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

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

To see the building of this supportive recovery home: https://www.flickr.com/gp/bcgovphotos/809w5r