Kamloops, BC – Up to 24 people will be trained as dietary aides and help ensure people in long-term care facilities receive the nutrition they need to stay healthy, thanks to $132,000 in government funding for the Aboriginal Agricultural Education Society of British Columbia.
Trainees will receive 10 weeks of occupational skills classroom training in nutrition, First Aid level one, Serving it Right, food safety and computer skills. This is followed by six weeks of on-the-job work experience with local employers and a minimum of two weeks of follow-up job search supports.
Dietary aides work in settings such as care facilities, hospitals and retirement homes. They have an important role in helping to prepare and deliver meals so that people receive nutritious, healthy food. The first intake of participants began their training in May, and a second group of 12 will start in August. The local WorkBC Employment Services Centre is recruiting eligible participants for the second phase of this project. The project wraps up in January 2016.
This project is funded through Community and Employer Partnerships, which were introduced in April 2012 as part of the Employment Program of BC.
B.C. is reaching a tipping point where more people are leaving the workforce than people entering it. That is why government is taking action now to address this rapidly changing labour market. One year ago, government created B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint to ensure more British Columbians have the skills they need to be first in line for in-demand jobs in B.C.’s diverse, strong and growing economy.
The Community and Employer Partnerships 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.
To date, more than 700 job seekers have benefited from work experience and more than 150 projects have been funded throughout the province.
Quick Facts:
- In 2015-16, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
- The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
- Funding supports 84 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
- Job Creation Partnerships
- Labour Market Partnerships
- Project-Based Labour Market Training
- Research and Innovation
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit organizations
- Municipalities, agencies or territorial governments
- Bands/tribal councils
- Public health and educational institutions
Learn More:
For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP
For more information on the Aboriginal Agricultural Education Society of BC: https://www.facebook.com/aaesbc
Find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca
Learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi
For more information on B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills
To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/
