The Nelson and District Youth Centre has always benefitted from the profits raised through the operation of the Nelson City Campground, a social enterprise aiding local youth.

Now, through $62,000 of British Columbia government funding for a Job Creation Partnership, the youth centre’s future will be enhanced, thanks to upgrades to the campground. The campground is a popular place for tourists and residents that puts 100% of its profits toward the youth centre facility and its programs.

To ensure both the campground and youth centre continue to benefit Nelson residents, two local job-seekers are participating in a 28-week work experience project where they will enhance their skills as they overhaul the campground. The participants will gain skills in construction, carpentry, landscaping, vegetation management planning, utility upgrades and campground maintenance, all of which will increase their opportunities for sustainable employment once the project is completed.

The upgrades to the campground are expected to be finished on Oct. 21, 2016, when the work done by the project’s participants will have brought tourism benefits such as:

• Electrical, water and tree management upgrades
• Campsite repair, levelling and drainage upgrades, as well as road repair
• New signage
• 10 new tent platforms
• Upgrades to the shower facilities
• A small stage for acoustic performances, with basic lighting
• Repair of picnic tables and benches
• A new, organized storage area

Also throughout the project, participants will be collecting feedback from the campground’s users for information on what else should be done to improve the overall enjoyment of the facility.

Government funding for the project is provided through the Job Creation Partnership stream of the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation’s Community and Employer Partnerships program.

This is the second JCP funded in the City of Nelson over the last year. Another project received $94,000 to provide work experience for four people to help renovate the CP Rail building, which is a heritage site in the community that is now home to the Nelson Chamber of Commerce and other offices.

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 1,000 job seekers benefited from work experience and more than 200 projects have been funded throughout the province.

The 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 and to re-engineer B.C.’s education programs toward a data-driven system focusing investments toward training for in-demand jobs.

B.C. invests more than $7.5 billion in education and training each year from early learning programs for the youngest British Columbians all the way through to post graduate education. Over the next 10 years, to better align annual investments to meet emerging labour market needs, government will redirect $3 billion in training investments to focus on skills and programs for in-demand jobs.

In-demand occupations that require post-secondary education or training range from professional to management to trades in a range of sectors including technology, resource and health care.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“This project has a double benefit for the City of Nelson. Two people will gain valuable work experience and marketable skills that can help them find a good job. And the youth centre, which does great work in the community, will have an upgraded camping facility that will continue to attract people to the area.”

Derek Youngblutt, project supervisor, Nelson and District Youth Centre –

“Not only has JCP funding given the Nelson and District Youth Centre the opportunity to transform its tourist park into a regional icon, it has already enabled four community members to upgrade their employability skills and to move into full-time employment.  The fruits of the partnership between the JCP program and the city of Nelson are now evident throughout the city and within the local economy.” 

Quick Facts:

• The Nelson and District Youth Centre (NDYC) was established in December 1997 to create a safe, accepting and empowering community where all youth can interact and access a variety of programs, services and activities they need and enjoy.
• The Province proclaimed May 2016 as Social Enterprise Month to help raise awareness of the diversity of social enterprises in B.C. and the contributions these business ventures make to communities and B.C.’s economy.
• Social enterprises use business strategies to create a social or environmental impact. They range from thrift stores to businesses that provide skills training, affordable housing and jobs for people with disabilities.
• 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:

Nelson City Campground: http://www.nelson.ca/EN/main/residents/community-facilities/city-campground.html

Nelson City Youth Centre: http://www.nelson.ca/EN/main/residents/youth-centre.html

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

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