qathet – New Democrat MLA Nicholas Simons says at-risk youth on the Sunshine Coast 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.
“Gaining employment skills helps youth build their skills and confidence, and the BladeRunner Program has helped so many youth across the province. I know people who have participated in the program, and have seen how important wraparound employment supports are in providing them with the tools they need to succeed.”
The Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS) has received over $10 million in funding over three years to offer this program to youth across Coastal B.C., and the program will be delivered locally by Lift Community Services to those who face barriers to employment.
MLA Simons 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