BACKGROUNDER
2009ALMD0003-000078 Jan. 22, 2009	Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
NEW PROGRAM TO HELP WORKERS GAIN VALUABLE SKILLS

The Return to Work Employability Program will prepare participants for new and immediate employment. In areas where there is little likelihood of employment, programming may be aimed at increasing the employability of the participant, and ensuring they remain active and productive while their communities undergo adjustment.

 

Eligible communities must have ongoing high unemployment, and/or communities in which 20 per cent or more of the labour force is dependent on a single employer or a single industry and the employer or industry has experienced significant downsizing.  Census Metropolitan Areas with populations greater than 250,000 are not eligible.

 

A request for proposal process was completed and eight communities were successful:

 

1)      Terrace and District Community Services Society – Terrace and area

2)      Hecate Strait Employment Development Society – Prince Rupert and area

3)      Horton Ventures Inc. – 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Quesnel

4)      Kootenay Employment Services – Creston and area

5)      Powell River Employment Program Society – Powell River and area

6)      Mission Community Skills Centre Society – Hope and area

7)      North Island Employment Foundations Society – Campbell River

8)      Creative Employment Access Society – Comox Valley

 

The community application to receive the Return to Work Employability Program focused on the ability to provide employment assistance activities, such as resume, interview and job search techniques, combined with employability services, such as skills upgrading, work experiences, and mentoring.  Proposals were chosen based on overall scoring, as well as appropriate geographical distribution for employability programs in the province. Geographic areas with exceptionally high unemployment, or documented major economic impacts were given priority.

 

Programs begin in January and end by March 31, 2009.

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Media contact:	Craig MacBride Public Affairs Officer 250 356-7882 250 896-9704
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