More people in northern B.C. will be able to train for jobs as certified community support workers and community mental-health workers.
This is through a Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) project funded by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
“We all want young people to have both meaningful work and more services, to build better lives,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction in Prince George Wednesday. “Through this training, youth in northern B.C. will get in-demand jobs, while people living in the region will have more support workers in their own communities.”
The province is providing funding to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) to deliver, together with its partners, the community support worker diploma training project with its primary focus on training young people up to 30 years in northern B.C. Also identified for training are Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, immigrants, people with multiple barriers to employment, and survivors of violence and/or abuse.
“Investing in employment opportunities, particularly for underserved populations, is not just about economic growth, it’s about nurturing the mental well-being of our communities,” said Sarah Lloyd, executive director, CMHA Northern BC. “This initiative is a testament to our commitment to creating opportunities that not only prepare individuals for the jobs of tomorrow, but also contribute to their overall well-being.”
As many as 12 participants will receive 27 weeks of essential, employability and occupational skills training, six weeks of on-the-job experience with community-support employers, and one week of followup support to prepare participants for work as certified community support workers and community mental-health workers.
Participant activities will begin on Oct. 23, 2023, and end June 21, 2024.
“Making training easier and more affordable for people is what our government’s Future Ready plan is all about,” said Andrew Mercier, Minister of State for Workforce Development. “This project gives people the skills to build careers as much-needed community-based service workers, while building stronger, more resilient neighbourhoods right across B.C.”