Planning a multi-location racing series is a lot of work, but two Nakusp residents are getting the chance to learn first-hand how to put it all together.

The Province has contributed nearly $70,000 to the Kootenay Sufferfest Society to provide work experience to two people to take on the design and marketing assistant roles for this year’s Sufferfest through a Job Creation Partnership project.

Sufferfest is a multi-location festival featuring events such as trail-racing, cycling, paddling and road-running in the Kootenays with races in Nakusp, New Denver and Kaslo. Competitors complete a series of challenges in their quest to become Sufferfest champion. The main event runs from Sept. 3 to 5 in Nakusp. One participant, Brenda Morden, has helped plan and promote the event, while researching new ways to grow the brand and help Sufferfest become a mainstream, must-attend event for fitness enthusiasts. A second participant is expected to be brought on after the races to help strategize for future events.

Brenda has been attending some of the top B.C. racing events to promote Sufferfest, and learn best practices that can help events become more popular. She has also been marketing Sufferfest through social media and newspapers, in addition to mail-outs to Alberta and Washington State while arranging meetings and training for volunteers.

In the end, the participants will have finalized long-term marketing strategy recommendations for future years and gained valuable employment experience in marketing, event-planning, website design and customer service all while helping Sufferfest grow into an event that will become an economic driver for Nakusp.

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 fund 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 1,200 job seekers benefited from work experience and more than 240 projects have been funded throughout the province.

The 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 2025 and to re-engineer 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 –  

“It's great to see the project participants able to get on-the-job work experience in the event-planning industry while promoting a great event in the Kootenays. This funding from our government really is a win-win for the people seeking employment and for the Kootenay Sufferfest Society as they continue to grow their event into a world-class racing series.”

Janis Neufeld, president and race director, Kootenay Sufferfest Society –

“Brenda, our participant, has been an absolute pleasure to work with. It has been very interesting to watch her identify and explore her strengths in the workplace. Organization is definitely one of her strong points and in event management this is such a key component. She has been integral in planning and implementing the Aid Stations portion of the event. She has also recognized her skills, which need further development, and how to handle a busy workload.  It has been a real boost to our event having the extra support.”

Brenda Morden, project participant –

“It has been a great learning experience being a part of the Job Creation Partnership with the Kootenay Sufferfest Society. I moved to this area three years ago and I was working in hospitality looking for a way to upgrade my skills and be more a part of the community. Kootenay Sufferfest has given me the opportunity to update my skills and learn all the details of non-profit event planning. I am fortunate to work with a great team people.”

Quick Facts:

• Local WorkBC Employment Services Centres play a lead role in connecting eligible job seekers to Job Creation Partnership 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.
• The Kootenay Sufferfest Society is a volunteer based registered not-for-profit society incorporated in June 2011 and is dedicated to supporting the communities economic growth, promoting health active living and enhancing outdoor recreation in and around the beautiful Villages of Kaslo, New Denver and Nakusp.
• Events began May 13 with the Nakusp Road Race Weekend and wrap up Sept. 15 with the Kootenay Sufferfest main event races in Kaslo, Nakusp and New Denver.
• In 2016-17, the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
• 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:

Kootenay Sufferfest Society: http://kootenaysufferfest.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/