The Baker Creek Enhancement Society is increasing awareness of the importance of Cariboo Chilcotin shorelines and providing one person with work experience, thanks to more than $11,000 in provincial funding.

Over 34 weeks, the local participant, Amanda Dreager, will put together a public campaign to encourage people to help protect shorelines on lakes, rivers, creeks and wetlands in the Cariboo Chilcotin. The campaign will be directed at people who have a regular connection to the shorelines: anglers, miners, realtors and shoreline residents. Protecting shorelines will help safeguard the habitats of fish, invertebrates and birds, as well as water quality.

The project gives Amanda an opportunity to expand her existing skills. A horticulture technician by training, she will develop a communications strategy, eco brochures, presentations, posters and Social Media campaigns. Amanda and the Baker Creek Enhancement Society will have a “selfie” photo booth set up at the annual Quesnel Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 6, that will enable people to learn about the Shorelines campaign.

Government is taking action to address the rapidly changing labour market. Through the BC Skills for Jobs Blueprint, government is re-engineering our education and training programs towards a data-driven system that focuses our investment on jobs that are in-demand.

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 nearly 200 projects throughout the province.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“The Province continues to support Job Creation Partnerships across B.C. because the benefits are two-fold. It creates an opportunity for someone like Amanda to gain invaluable work experience that will help lead to a good, in-demand job, but it also has a significant, positive impact in the community in which they live.”

Coralee Oakes, MLA for Cariboo North, Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction –

“Cariboo North will reap benefits from this project for years to come as this Job Creation Partnership raises awareness of the importance of our shorelines and their ecosystems. This is important for everything from clean drinking water to recreational opportunities in this beautiful area.”

Tracy Bond, executive director, Baker Creek Enhancement Society –

“The project and funding provides a unique opportunity in the Cariboo Chilcotin to partner with non-profit organizations, government agencies and community groups to fill in the gaps in relation to outreach and education to residents living on water. Amanda is gaining valuable work experience and training, through the program, that she will be able to carry with her into the future.”

Amanda Dreager, project participant –

“The experience I am gaining from working with the Baker Creek Enhancement Society will help me to continue to be employed in the environmental field, which I am passionate about. Being pro-active to protect biodiversity and bringing awareness to the issues that threaten it are very important to me. The skills I am gaining and the contacts I am making through this partnership are preparing me to spread this message now and in the future and to bring about positive change in our region.”

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 Baker Creek Enhancement Society: http://www.bakercreek.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

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