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New $1-Million Skills Training Program for Rural Communities

Jan. 22, 2009

VICTORIA – The Return to Work Employability Program, with a $1 million budget for 2008/09, creates new employment opportunities for British Columbians, providing them with the opportunity to obtain skills that today’s employers are seeking, announced Murray Coell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.

“Through this new program, we’re investing in our province’s most valuable asset, our people,” said Coell. “This employability program, now being offered in eight communities, has been designed to help British Columbians, particularly those in smaller, rural communities, gain the job skills needed to be successful.”

Each participant in the Return to Work Employability Program will receive individual and group-based training to improve their skills and readiness to work, as well as support for post-training job searches.

“This new program will go a long way to help British Columbians increase their skills and employment opportunities,” said Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. “Through our Labour Market Agreement, we are helping employers find the skilled labour they need, and through this new project, we are delivering on our commitment to help everyone access to the information, training and services they need to find jobs in B.C.”

Through programs like Return to Work, the B.C. government is working hard to help rural communities survive and thrive in tough economic times. The Province has created the RuralBC Secretariat and made accessible a comprehensive list of tools that communities can access, through www.ruralbc.gov.bc.ca, to achieve their visions of the future.

Participants can be unemployed individuals who are non-Employment Insurance clients; or employed individuals who do not have a high school diploma, a recognized certification or who have low levels of literacy and essential skills in the workplace.

The B.C. government, working with academic, industry and other partners is enabling British Columbians to gain the skills needed to successfully participate in B.C.’s provincial labour market, and respond positively to changing workplace demands.

Each year for the next six years, the Government of Canada will provide approximately $66 million to the Province under the Labour Market Agreement. Through a variety of programs, these funds will increase training for employed individuals who are low-skilled and require essential skills, or who require recognized credentials to reach their full potential in the current marketplace. They will also help increase access to training for unemployed individuals who are not currently Employment Insurance clients, including but not limited to, those who are underrepresented in the labour market.

For more information on the LMA, visit www.WorkBC.ca.
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Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Information
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Province Acquires 15 Properties to Expand Housing
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New $1-Million Skills Training Program for Rural Communities
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Premier Opens Canada's First Community Court
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Homeless Outreach Expands to Four More Communities
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Province Supports Unique New Centre for Addicted Youth
The Central City Foundation will use a one-time $2 million grant from government to build the Crossing at Keremeos facility, which will become B.C.’s first long-term residential treatment centre for addicted youth.
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32 New Transition Beds for Homeless Youth
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Improved Retirement Options for British Columbians
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Premier Unveils New Vision for BC Place & Art Gallery
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B.C. Leads Nation in Interprovincial Migration
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New Child Care Spaces for Prince George
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Province Buys Six Hotels to Expand and Protect Housing
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CP BC Spirit of 150 Train Connects Past and Future
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Roof Completion Marks Major Milestone for Richmond Oval
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Province to Raise Homeowner Grant Threshold
For the fifth consecutive year, the Province will increase the homeowner grant threshold in response to rising property values across British Columbia.
B.C. to Introduce Security-Enhanced Birth Certificates
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Non-Profit Operators Selected for SRO Hotel Buildings
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Increase to Transition House Staffing Protects Women
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Premier Opens World-Class Sports Training Facility
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WelcomeBC to Help Immigrants Settle, Access Work
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$5.5 Million in Funding for Arts and Culture
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Air India Memorial Unveiled in Vancouver
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Province Funds BC2008 Community Celebrations
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B.C. Gives $500,000 to Music Outreach Project for Youth
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BC Liberal Government Increase Homeowner Grant Threshold
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LocalMotion Funding Now Available for Communities
Communities across B.C. are now eligible to access the new $40-million LocalMotion Fund, which will help build cycling and pedestrian pathways, improve safety and accessibility, and support children’s activity programs in playgrounds.
Premier Urges Joint Action on Housing Initiatives
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Premier Announces New Funding for B.C. Municipalities
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New Strategy Improves Housing for Families, Homeless
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$33 Million for Urgent Flood Protection
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BC Liberal Government Helps Communities Bust Grow-Ops
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Province and City Plan New Vancouver Cultural Precinct
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BC Liberal Government Moves to Reduce Sale of Tobacco to Minors
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Funding Increase for Youth Addictions & Crystal Meth
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B.C. Adds 10 New Police Officers to Fight Cybercrime
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$7-Million in New Funding to Fight Crystal Meth
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B.C. Invests in Improving the Quality, Capacity and Accessibility of Child Care
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$3.5-Million Grant to Support Canuck Place
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$10-million Invested to Make Schools Centres of Communities
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Premier Campbell Announces 215 More RCMP Officers to Fight Crime
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$12.5-Million in New Funding for Women's Transition Houses
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Persons on Disability Assistance to Receive the Largest Rate Increase in History of B.C.
Effective Dec. 22, each person on disability assistance will start receiving $70 more each month, representing a total funding increase of $55 million.
Communities to Receive 100 percent of Net Traffic Fine Revenues, Proceeds and Legislation to Make Streets Safer
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BC Liberal Government Implements Strategy to Fight Crystal Meth
An integrated B.C. strategy to prevent the use and harmful effects of crystal meth and other amphetamines.
$84-Million Agreement Signed for Affordable Housing
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B.C. - Canada Partnership to Build New Homes for Seniors
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Authorized By Jim Pipe, Financial Agent BC Liberal Party.
Tel: 604.606.6000, 1.800.567.2257