TUMBLER RIDGE – A $270,000 project in Tumbler Ridge is providing work experience and creating better recreation sites for residents and tourists.
Through a British Columbia government-funded Job Creation Partnership, 16 people have gained work experience by building a Recreation Sites and Trails BC-approved shelter at Moose Lake and a new 15-kilometre trail into Quality Lake. The trail will be accessible for hikers, snowmobiles and ATVs.
Other components of the project include trail clearing and sign installation at Hermann Mountain and Five Cabin Creek trails, as well as promotion of the project at Grizfest and the Emperor’s Challenge community events.
The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation is providing $193,500 for the project. Other funding, in cash and in-kind, is coming from the District of Tumbler Ridge, Pattern Energy, the Tumbler Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the Grizzly Valley ATV club and Community Forests. The Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is contributing $10,000 in in-kind services.
Once the 19-week project is complete in October, the participants will have gained skills in carpentry, maintenance and trail building that they can use in their search for full-time employment, while the Tumbler Ridge area will have new and improved recreation amenities. The project started with 12 participants, seven of whom have secured full-time employment as a result of their work experience. Four new participants have been brought in to help finish the job.
Funding for the project is provided through the Job Creation Partnership stream of the Community and Employer Partnerships program.
The program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market. It helps build stronger partnerships with industry and labour to connect British Columbians with classroom and on-the-job training, while making it easier for employers to hire the skilled workers they need – when and where they need them.
