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Resource workers will benefit from job-specific training available through a partnership between the Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce, School District 28 Continuing and Adult Education, and the College of New Caledonia Quesnel campus, announced Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Kevin Krueger on behalf of Community and Rural Development Minister Ben Stewart. 

“As our economy recovers, it makes sense to provide practical assistance to individuals wanting to improve their job prospects, helping a better-prepared workforce be able to meet opportunities as they arise,” said Krueger. “Collaboration among various partners is making possible effective training opportunities for youth and adults.” 

Tuition funding of $5,000 through the Community Development Trust will help launch the Silver Employment Certificate, a follow-up to the Bronze Certificate. A provincial first, the Silver Certificate offers a range of sector-specific training and planning for participants to confirm or complete their youth or adult Dogwood Provincial diploma. Certification involves intensive career assessments, and requires a commitment to complete ten cross-sector training sessions. 

More than 50 choices of training and instruction recognized by the business community are available. The sessions enhance the participants’ awareness of specific skills required for employment in sectors including oil and gas, mining, new international lumber-manufacturing markets, harvesting for all uses of wood fibre, tourism, retail and wholesale businesses, construction and green energy. 

“Several years ago, the Chamber of Commerce recognized that the skills shortage would be one of the largest impediments for business and economic growth. We have worked diligently with our education partners and the business community over the past five years identifying skill gaps,” said Darlene Osborne, president, Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled once again to be working with our education partners to implement the much-needed Silver Certificate for employees. The chamber thanks the government for their dedication to the program and the much-needed funding.” 

The program builds on five years of research undertaken with area employers, including 500 interviews with owners and managers, as well as 18 months of intensive discussions with resource workers affected by changes in the economy. In undertaking the research the partners designed curriculum based on skills recognized by the business community.