A government-funded work experience project will help put Lumby on the map through social media.

To do that, the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation is providing the Lumby and District Chamber of Commerce with $11,294 to offer valuable work experience to a local job seeker to develop social media networks that will market the region for tourism.

The project will give Lumby-area resident Leanna Leibel valuable job skills that she can use in her search for full-time employment, while providing the community with enhanced social media destination-marketing opportunities. She will be working with local businesses, organizations and stakeholders to market the region’s year-round tourism draws through new social media channels.

To carry out her marketing campaign, Leibel will establish a stakeholder committee, implement a destination shopping program in which groups of people meet at local businesses to socialize and buy goods, and design a destination marketing trade show in Lumby. Before the project is complete in the summer, Leibel will also report on the campaign and develop testimonial videos about Lumby on YouTube.

The Lumby Valley Times is also a partner in the project, providing in-kind advertising space to point readers to the social media content.

The participant was referred to the project by the local WorkBC Employment Services Centre.

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.

Community and Employer Partnerships are featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and provide 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 1,500 job seekers benefited from work experience and more than 270 projects have been funded throughout the province.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“Community and Employer Partnerships are all about working together to help people enhance their skills and find full-time work, while making valuable contributions to important community projects. This is a great chance to market Lumby as a year-round tourist destination through social media, and I’m excited that we’re able to help someone in their search for work by promoting it.”

Eric Foster, MLA for Vernon-Monashee –

“As most of us know here in the North Okanagan region, Lumby is an undiscovered gem of a community and it’s great to see our government creating these partnerships that will have a positive impact, not only on the life of the participant, but on our tourism sector as well.”

Stephanie Sexsmith, executive director, Lumby and District Chamber of Commerce –

“The partnerships and destination marketing growth that this project supports will contribute a positive impact on all aspects of our community. This project will help strengthen our position as a destination choice for people looking to visit or relocate to. We are proud to be able to access this program and have the support to move these initiatives forward.”

Leanna Leibel, project participant –

“Participating in this project has been a wonderful experience. I have had the opportunity to expand my knowledge of social media marketing, website building, event coordination, print material design and business correspondence, among other things. It has also been a great networking tool to connect with potential future employers.”

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.
• In 2016-17, 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 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:

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/