NDP MLA Brenda Bailey says BladeRunners will prepare at-risk youth for work in Vancouver

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VANCOUVER – New Democrat MLA Brenda Bailey says at-risk youth in Vancouver will be able to gain skills in in-demand fields thanks to BladeRunners, an employment and skills training program that provides wrap-around supports for young people.

“Our government knows it is important to support at-risk youth who are unsure what direction they would like to go in life, especially after experiencing a challenging pandemic,” said Brenda Bailey, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek. “This multi-year funding means BladeRunners can continue to guide youth and give them the skills needed to create a stable and happy future.”

The following service providers have received funding over three years to offer this program to youth in Vancouver who face barriers to employment:

  • Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS)
  • EMBERS
  • Vancouver Coastal Health – Gastown Vocational Services
  • YWCA Metro Vancouver

MLA Bailey says the BladeRunners program empowers youth aged 15-30 to take control of their futures, gain valuable skills, and find new career opportunities in areas such as construction, culinary arts, health care, retail, hospitality, and office administration. In addition to job skills and work experience placements, youth build life skills and receive mentorship and other supports to help them participate and succeed in the program.

The New Democrat government is allocating $18.6M over three years to support the BladeRunners program being delivered by 11 organizations serving 50 communities across B.C. More than 4,000 young people will benefit from this funding, 65-70% of whom are expected to be Indigenous. The BladeRunners program began as a pilot project in 1994 to address the needs of at-risk youth on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. 

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021AEST0050-001420

BladeRunners programs are available now in communities across all regions of the province. If you are a youth between the ages of 15 and 30 who is facing multiple barriers to employment, see the BladeRunners website: https://www.workbc.ca/employment-services/labour-market-programs/bladerunners-program.aspx