Nelson project builds Gateway to work experience
By Nelson Daily Staff
A half dozen workers and Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce are beneficiaries of a $176,000 in government Job Creation Partnership funding said Don McRae, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation in a government media release.
The funding allows six more people to gain work experience by turning Nelson’s historic CPR railway station, located west of downtown core, into a state-of-the-art tourist centre and headquarters for the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce.
“The Nelson Regional Gateway is a high-profile project in the Kootenays and the workers there are getting great construction experience on a heritage building that will look terrific on their resumes when they’re finished,” McRae said.
These workers are getting experience in construction, carpentry and heritage restoration techniques on the structure, built in 1900, as well as safety orientation over the course of one year. The project is scheduled to finish in September 2015.
The Nelson Gateway project, overall, has received more than $364,000 in funding and trained 10 other workers in two earlier stages of the project: more than $54,000 for the first stage and approximately $134,000 in the second stage.
“For this project, the program is doing exactly what it’s supposed to be doing – getting workers experience and getting them back into the workforce,” said Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce executive director Tom Thomson.
“We are extremely fortunate to have the support of the ministry and, equally importantly, the Job Creation Partnership participants who have contributed so much to the project.”
Job Creation Partnerships are part of the Employment Program of BC’s Community and Employer Partnerships, which fund projects that increase employability and share labour market information.
To date, more than 450 job seekers have benefited from work experience and more than 120 projects have been funded throughout the province.
“I broadened my construction skill level, and was moved into the position as the Job Creation Partnership (JCP) supervisor,” said Project supervisor and former participant Justin Campese.
“The Regional Visitor Gateway project has been very beneficial to me and to the JCP participants I have worked with, getting the necessary skills and work experience to move on.”
The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint that helps align training and education with in-demand jobs and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market or who face unique challenges.
Quick Facts:
- In 2014-15, 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 85 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
