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PRINCE GEORGE – A partnership between the United Steelworkers and the Province will help hundreds of workers in northern British Columbia to upgrade their skills and obtain sustainable employment, announced Pat Bell, Minister of Forests and Range and MLA for Prince George North, and Frank Everitt, president of the United Steelworkers Local 1-424. Funding for the partnership is provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Agreement.
“On behalf
of Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Community Development, I am pleased to announce
this innovative partnership. We want to make sure that British Columbia’s
workers have the skills they need,” said Bell. “With changes taking place in
forestry, this training will help workers meet the changing demands of the
industry and northern economy.”
“This pilot
project will allow us to work with those who are facing significant challenges
due to the downturn in the economy,” said Everitt. “We know that the demand for
skilled labourers is only going to increase, so it’s important that we work co-operatively
to meet the needs of employers as well as people looking for work or improving
their present skill level.”
Under the Labour Market Agreement (LMA), the Province is providing $2 million to the United Steelworkers Local 1-424 to co-ordinate employment and training services in northern communities served by the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition. Beginning in January, the employment services will be offered to job-threatened forestry workers and those ineligible for Employment Insurance. The services are available to both forest and non forest workers.
The United Steelworkers will tailor the programming to the future needs of industry and has hired a forest worker co-ordinator to act as a liaison between workers and employers and to identify training opportunities and long-term employment prospects.
“This project will go a long way to help British
Columbians get the new skills they need,” said Jay Hill, leader of the government
in the House of Commons and MP for Prince George-Peace River.
“Through the Canada-BC Labour Market
Agreement, and this new project specifically, we are delivering on our
commitment to help everyone access the training and services they need to find
new jobs in B.C.,” said Dick Harris, MP for Cariboo-Prince George.
The Steelworkers will co-ordinate activities with local service providers in 11 communities including:
· Work Connections in Prince George;
· Mackenzie Employment and Career Centre in Mackenzie;
· Robson Valley Home Support Society in McBride;
· Valemount Learning Society in Valemount;
· Progressive Employment in Vanderhoof and Fraser Lake;
· Community Futures Development Corporation of Nadina in Smithers and Houston;
· Job Search and Support Services in Chetwynd;
· Lakes District Employment Services in Burns Lake; and
· Fort Outreach Employment Services in Fort St. James.
Participants in the employment and training services program will receive skills assessments, assistance with personal portfolio plans and job search skills, one-on-one career and education counselling, specialized training and upgrading courses such as Level 3 First Aid, lumber grading and log scaling, and, potentially, work placements and pre-apprenticeship training.
“I want to thank the Steelworkers for working with us in such a
constructive way to create initiatives that will support forestry
workers and their families in northern B.C.,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Education and MLA for Prince George-Mount
Robson. “We all recognize the
critical role that education and skills training will play in providing support
and resources to bridge workers through these challenging times. Once again, northerners
have worked together to create a unique pilot project in 11 communities that
will assist both forest and non-forest workers. ”
“This program targets people who may not have had access to assistance in the past,” said John Rustad, MLA for Prince George-Omineca. “By investing in training upgrades, we are also investing in the future of businesses in northern British Columbia.”
The B.C. government, working with academic, industry and other partners is enabling British Columbians to gain the skills needed to successfully participate in the provincial labour market, and respond positively to changing workplace demands.
Under the LMA, each year for the next six years, the Government of Canada will provide approximately $66 million to the Province. Through a variety of programs, these funds will increase training for unemployed individuals who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI), and employed clients who require essential skills, are low skilled, or require recognized credentials to reach their full potential in the current marketplace.
For more information on the LMA, visit www.WorkBC.ca.
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Media Contact: |
Kathy Vinton Ministry of
Community Development 250 387-4089 |
Frank Everitt United Steelworkers Local 1-424 250 960-9809 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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