Up to 15 people will gain new skills and training as community support or mental health care workers in the Campbell River area thanks to funding from the Government of British Columbia.

Discovery Community College will receive more than $150,000 from WorkBC’s Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) Project Based Labour Market Training to provide classroom training and on-the-job work experience to program participants.

“We know that health-care workers are in demand right now all over the province, including mental health care and community support workers,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “Training like this not only helps to meet the need for community health-care workers, but also provides British Columbians a clear path to a rewarding, long-term career.”

The program prioritizes participants such as Indigenous peoples, immigrants, youth, multi-barriered and survivors of violence and/or abuse. Once their training and work experience is complete, participants will receive two weeks of employment support to prepare them to work as community support or mental health care workers in the Campbell River area.

“Knowing that we’re supporting people in Campbell River to get the skills they need to fill in-demand jobs, while helping community members, is heartening,” said Claire Trevena, MLA for North Island. “Having additional community support or mental health care workers in Campbell River will go a long way in battling the unprecedented dual public-health emergencies we’re facing with COVID-19 and the overdose crisis.”

Partnering in the project is the Campbell River Transition Society, the Campbell River Beacon Club and the John Howard Society Campbell River.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Government of British Columbia to help people get the skills they need to make a difference in their community,” said Desiree King, community partnership manager at Discovery Community College’s campus in Campbell River. “We’re also thankful for the support of the other partners in this program who help students get the hands-on experience they need to pursue their new career in community support work.”

Participants begin in-class learning Aug. 24, 2020. The program runs until April 16, 2021.

Quote:

Shelly Kernovich, housing manager, Campbell River and North Island Transition Society –

“We’re grateful to have this investment in community support or mental health care workers in Campbell River. It’s really important we start growing our own workers here, because it’s beneficial for everyone when we invest in those who live and work in our community.”

Quick Facts:

• More than $19 million was invested in CEP projects throughout B.C. in 2019-20.
• CEP’s goal is to increase employment and work experience opportunities in communities throughout B.C.
• The Province recently announced more than $4.4 million for health profession-related education and training at public B.C. post-secondary institutions.

Learn More:

Learn how CEPs are helping local communities: www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/Community-and-Employer-Partnerships.aspx

Learn more about how WorkBC can help find British Columbians jobs that are right for them: www.workbc.ca/rightforyou