NANAIMO – New Democrat MLA Sheila Malcolmson is welcoming a Government of B.C. investment of over $4 million to help people prepare for careers in wildfire and integrated natural resources fields in Nanaimo and across B.C., as part of a new Community and Employer Partnership project.

“We want people to fight fires and fill more job openings in B.C., and our new training funding will help,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “Meeting students at these Nanaimo courses in years past, they told me the program had broken down barriers to new jobs in our community.”

Up to 120 people will participate in training in five regions across the province, in partnership with Stillwater Consulting Ltd. The program will focus on training youth, youth at risk, immigrants, Indigenous people, and other people who face barriers to finding employment.

Participants will receive 17 weeks of employability and occupational skills training, three weeks of on-the-job experience with local employers, and four weeks of follow up support to assist in their job search.

The first intake of full-time, classroom-based learning started on October 24, 2022, for those enrolled in programs in Cranbrook, Nanaimo, and Prince George. Those registered in Kamloops and Langley begin on November 7, 2022. The second intake begins in March 2023.

Funding for this project is provided through the Project Based Labour Market Training stream of WorkBC’s Community and Employer Partnerships. Through CEP, the Province invests $15 million annually in communities throughout BC to support inclusive economic recovery by connecting people to in-demand training and wok opportunities.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022SDPR0061-001641