Two new Job Creation Partnerships with the Gabriola Arts Council will provide skills training and paid work experience to four Gabriola Island residents, resulting in a year’s worth of arts and culture programming and a renovated community cultural centre.

The provincial government is providing $169,403 to the Gabriola Arts Council.

The first partnership will provide up to 43 weeks of work experience and skills training for three people in renovation and construction, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, landscaping and project management. The participants will work alongside local professionals to update and renovate the 88-year-old Gabriola Arts & Heritage Centre, preserving a significant piece of Gabriola history and providing a high-quality, functional and accessible cultural space for the community.

(flickr.com)

The second partnership with the Gabriola Arts Council will provide up to 50 weeks of training and work experience to one individual in event planning, marketing and media, budgeting, communications and co-ordination of volunteers. The participant will assist in developing a year-long program of arts and culture events in celebration of Gabriola Arts Council’s 20th anniversary in 2017.

Programming will target all ages and support the local economy by drawing locals and tourists to participate in workshops, performances and other special events reflecting the diverse cultural history and active arts community of the island.

The Gabriola Arts & Heritage Centre is one of the oldest buildings on the island. Built in 1928 as a one-room school house and used as such for almost 30 years, the building was leased to the Gabriola Women’s Institute in 1954. The instititue purchased the building outright in 1967 and it served as a meeting place, museum, library, and community gathering space. In 2014, the Women’s Institute donated the building and property to the Gabriola Arts Council. Memorabilia from the building’s history is on display at the Gabriola Museum.

Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation funding is provided through the Job Creation Partnerships stream of the Community and Employer Partnerships program, which funds projects that increase employability levels and share labour-market information.

Community and Employer Partnerships are featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and provide support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market. They help build stronger partnerships with industry and labour to connect British Columbians with classroom instruction 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 1,300 job seekers have benefited from work experience and more than 250 projects have been funded throughout the province.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“With these projects, three people are gaining meaningful and transferable work experience in construction and finishing, and one person is learning event planning, positioning them all for better career opportunities ahead. The value of these projects is evident with the strong collaboration of many partners who are all seeing the benefit of creating arts and culture spaces along with programming. ”

Charlie Cheffins, board chair, Gabriola Arts Council –

“This project helps to fulfil the Gabriola Arts Council’s goal of completing the renovation and restoration work on the Gabriola Arts & Heritage Centre, while also creating new and much-needed administrative and storage space for GAC, in a project involving numerous community partners, and that supports cultural, social, and economic development on Gabriola Island.”

Geordie, participant, Gabriola Arts & Heritage Centre renovation project –

“I am excited to be able to build something that will be a lasting part of life on Gabriola and a place for future generations to collaborate and be inspired.”

Lisa Rey, events co-ordinator, Gabriola Arts Council 20th anniversary project –

"I am excited to be making a contribution to the Gabriola community and celebrating all the great work the arts council has done over the past 20 years.”

Quick Facts:

• The Gabriola Arts Council will work with a host of community partners to deliver both projects, including the Regional District of Nanaimo, Gabriola Lions Club, Heritage BC, Nanaimo Port Authority, Island School of Building Arts, journeyman cabinetmaker Guy Mireau, BC Creative Spaces, Gabriola Historical and Museum Society, Lulu Performing Arts, BC Arts Council and others.
• Local WorkBC Employment Services Centres play a leading role in connecting eligible job seekers to Job Creation Partnerships and Project-Based Labour Market Training opportunities in their communities. Once a connection between the client and a suitable project has been made, the WorkBC centre continues to provide financial support and services to ensure the client’s 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 BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• Funding supports 84 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the five components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
  • Job Creation Partnerships
  • Labour Market Partnerships
  • Project-Based Labour Market Training
  • Research and Innovation
  • Social Innovation

Who is eligible for Community and Employer Partnerships funding?

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

Learn More:

Find out more about the Gabriola Arts Council: www.artsgabriola.ca

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

Discover work experience opportunities through your 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/