Poverty is something nobody should have to go through, and the government of B.C. has unveiled a new poverty reduction strategy with Prince George also directly benefiting.
At an event today (March 19) in the Prince George Native Friendship Centre (PGNFC), Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Shane Simpson announced up to 20 local young adults will a high standard of training in a field important to the local economy through TogetherBC, helping reduce poverty.
The First Nations Hospitality Program, which is run by LaKeCoRe Management and Training through WorkBC, will entail a 26-week program which will provide students with 18-weeks of employability, occupational skills training including strategies for success, computer skills, hospitality operations training and six-weeks hands-on training with local industry partners.
Afterwards, students will have two weeks of follow up as well as job-search support to help them find jobs in the hotel and hospitality industry in Prince George.
"Willing and capable people who want to work find the confidence and the opportunity they need to reach their goals through programs, such as The First Peoples Hospitality Program," Simpson says. "This is the kind of project that is at the heart of TogetherBC. It builds skills and supports people in their communities."
Two groups of eight to 10 will be selected for the program.
The first group started on Nov. 26, 2018, and will be finished on April 5, 2019.
The second group is scheduled to begin their training on April 15, 2019, and will complete their training by Oct. 11, 2019.
Minister Shane Simpson knows first-hand why BC’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy is important to provide people with the supports they need to help break the cycle of poverty.#TogetherBC @ShaneLSimpson https://t.co/MdzIjqHZLP pic.twitter.com/iwl35ZvNgX
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) March 18, 2019
"The First Peoples Hospitality Program is focused on creating training opportunities for local Indigenous people who are not just looking for a job, but a career path that is fulfilling," Lawney Chabot, president, LaKeCoRe Management & Training says. "Through this program, we are able to individualize training for each participant to make sure they are reaching their potential and on their way to sustainable local employment."
The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction says they have committed close to $196,000 in funding for the project through the Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) program.
"Community plays a major role in reducing poverty," Barbara Ward-Burkitt, PGNFC executive director says. "We need to make sure people have the supports and services they need here at home and ensure that they feel included and valued by their communities."
Darven Michell is currently a participant in the First Nations Hospitality Program, which he says gives him excitement going forward knowing he has the skills to have a long-term job.
"This program is giving me the confidence to get out there and find a stable and secure job, knowing that I have the skills I need to get a job that I am actually excited about," he says.
The six priority action areas of TogetherBC are:
- More affordable housing for more people
- Supporting families, children and youth
- Expanding access to education and training
- More opportunities, more jobs
- Improving income supports
- Investing in social inclusion
The B.C. government also says progress reports will be released on Oct. 1 of each year that provides actions being taken and progress made.
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