Four people are getting work experience building eight new homes for low- and medium-income families on the Fort Nelson First Nation, thanks to nearly $45,000 in provincial Community and Employer Partnership funding.

The workers are getting experience in all aspects of house construction, including foundation work, framing, roofing and finishing. The construction will benefit the Fort Nelson Nation with eight new units of housing. Four of the houses are three-bedroom homes, two are five-bedroom homes for large families and two units are housed in a duplex with two bedrooms in each unit for older residents and people with mobility issues. The duplex will be fully wheelchair accessible.

By the time the workers finish the 25-week project at the end of December, they will have logged more than 600 hours that can count toward their Industry Training Authority apprenticeship.

The federal department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs is supporting the project by securing the mortgages for the new Fort Nelson First Nation’s homes.

This project is funded through the provincial Community and Employer Partnerships program, which was introduced in April 2012 as part of the Employment Program of BC.

Government is taking action to address the rapidly changing labour market. Government created the B.C. 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 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, the program has helped more than 900 job seekers benefit from work experience and funded 195 projects throughout the province.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“This is a fantastic Job Creation Partnership project with the Fort Nelson First Nation. Participants are gaining invaluable experience in an in-demand trade that will give them a big advantage for finding work in the construction industry in the future.”

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –

“This is a project that has multiple benefits for the Fort Nelson First Nation and area. The community gets eight new homes, four people will get top-notch work experience in construction and, by the end of this project, they will be ready to take on other work in the construction industry and get good jobs.”

Vera Nicholson, housing coordinator, Fort Nelson First Nation –

“Fort Nelson First Nation is pleased to participate in the Job Creation Partnership Program. The program provides a great opportunity for some of our unemployed band members to gain skills in the construction industry while working on a project that will provide much-needed housing for our community.”

Erwin Dickie, project supervisor –

“I am grateful for the opportunity to supervise the Job Creation Partnership Program for our nation, our members and surrounding area people to have much-needed work and pay.”

Patrick O’Brien, project participant –

“I am just happy to have some money coming in and work.”

John Badine, project participant –

“I like this work. It’s outside. I am happy here.”

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 on the Fort Nelson First Nation: www.fortnelsonfirstnation.org

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

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

For more information on B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/