Career Centre staff say they are preparing for the return of BladeRunners, an award-winning, provincially funded program for youth between the ages of 16-30.
Twelve local youth will have the opportunity to receive life skills and job readiness training, allowing them to integrate into the local job market.
This second run of the BladeRunners program will target individuals interested in the hospitality industry, the largest labour market sector in this region. Participants may receive industry-recognized certifications in first aid, WHMIS, Serving It Right, cashier and customer service training. In addition, youth will benefit from life skills coaching with the inclusion of wellness, nutrition, conflict resolution, stress management, values, goal setting and budgeting.
The BladeRunners program provides a unique opportunity for young women and men to work closely with peers, forging relationships while gaining new skills and working towards their goal of being placed in long term employment. Later in the program, there is opportunity for local employers to provide mentorship and training through a wage subsidy work placement for the graduates.
The Career Centre staff says it is grateful for the opportunity to offer the BladeRunners program a second time and recognize the benefits this program brings to not only local youth but businesses in the community.
Career Centre Executive Director Cheryl Dill says that due to the program's previous success, funding was received via the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS) from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training.
"The Ministry funding is essential to program delivery," says Dill. "CVIJOBS would not be able to run the program without it."
Additional funding from the Regional District of Nanaimo's Northern Community Economic Development program will ensure delivery success, says Dill.
"Together these funding sources save participants approximately $5,000 each."
CVIJOBS encourages program referrals. If you know of a youth who meets the following criteria, please encourage them to call right away to apply:
• aged 16-30;
• unemployed or under-employed;
• non-EI recipient;
• out of school;
• living in British Columbia;
• legally entitled to work in Canada;
• barriers to employment (such as financial hardship, lack of experience or certification), but ready and willing to participate.
Those interested must register for and attend a free information session on Wednesday, September 9 at either 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. at The Career Centre.
Employers or youth eager to participate should visit www.careercentre.org or call The Career Centre at 250-248-3205.
The Career Centre is an initiative of The Central Vancouver Island Job Opportunities Building Society (CVIJOBS), a non-profit society that provides employment and career-related services to residents within the Bowser to Lantzville region.
— NEWS Staff/Career Centre