The heritage theme of Canada’s Smallest City will be enhanced through a Job Creation Partnership with the British Columbia government.

The City of Greenwood has received a $37,660 contribution from the Community and Employer Partnerships Fund to have three residents take part in a project that will give them construction work experience and provide three new heritage-style buildings for Lions’ Park.

The buildings will be used as food booths for community events, such as Founders Day, while also enhancing the look of Lions Park along the Highway 3 corridor. The participants will take care of the construction, window and door installation, roofing, staining and electrical work with guidance from a project supervisor, the city works supervisor and other mentors.

Funding for the project is provided through the Job Creation Partnerships stream of the Community and Employer Partnerships program.

Job Creation Partnerships are part of the Employment Program of British Columbia’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. The program 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 1,000 job seekers have benefited from work experience and more than 200 projects have been funded throughout the province.

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint was launched two years ago to help British Columbians get the skills they need to be first in line for the almost one million job openings that are projected by 2024. B.C’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint is also re-engineering B.C.’s education programs toward a data-driven system focusing investments toward training for in-demand jobs.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“Job Creation Partnership projects help job seekers gain valuable skills while assisting community-based projects that benefit the region. I’m confident the project participants will create some beautiful new attractions for Greenwood’s citizens to enjoy.”

Linda Larson, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen –

“I’m proud that the B.C. government is providing funding to this project because it aligns perfectly with two of our top priorities – community investment and job creation. The City of Greenwood is going to have some excellent new buildings for community events while a group of their citizens will be better prepared to find jobs.”

Quick Facts:

• The City of Greenwood is located in the Kootenay-Boundary regional district of B.C. and with a 2011 census population of 708 is Canada’s smallest incorporated city.
• Local WorkBC Employment Services Centres play a lead role in connecting eligible job seekers to Job Creation Partnerships and Project-Based Labour Market Training opportunities in their communities. Once the right match of client to project has been found, the effort of the WorkBC centre continues by providing financial supports and services to ensure success.
• In 2016-17, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of British Columbia.
• The Employment Program of British Columbia 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 for Community and Employer Partnerships funding?

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

Learn More:

Learn more about the City of Greenwood: http://greenwoodcity.com/

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/