Helping Solve Indigenous Youth Unemployment: Recruiting Now for Unique 2018 Training Program

QUESNEL, British Columbia - July 30, 2018 - PRLog -- QUESNEL, B.C.:  Quesnel Employment Services and Blue Collar Silviculture Ltd. are excited to announce the start of the First Nations Youth Training Program (FNYTP) on Aug. 7, 2018.  This five-week program is designed to get Indigenous youth employed in the Natural Resource and Hospitality sectors.  Candidate applications are currently being accepted.

The year's training will take place in Quesnel, B.C.  It includes industry relevant certifications, essential life skills, job readiness training, and assistance in finding and securing employment opportunities.  This is a fully integrated program and the participants live in a structured environment and work on contracts and projects designed to emulate the work experience required for new and immediate employment in the natural resource and hospitality sectors.  This opportunity is available for eligible youth aged 18-25 from First Nations communities throughout B.C.

Morgan Haines, a 2015 program graduate says, "I recommend this program… it was a valuable experience and one I will not forget, and it also opened the doors to me for other occupations in the forestry industry."  Haines has worked for Blue Collar Silviculture since 2016 and was a counsellor for the FNYTP for the past two years.

Quesnel Employment Services is working with partner Blue Collar Silviculture to deliver the FNYTP with funding provided by the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.  The emphasis is on building capacity among the young men and women of Indigenous communities.  The focus is not only on training but work experience as well.  This is one of the key reasons for the success of this program.  The First Nations Youth Training Program has achieved great success since its inception in 2009.

"Giving Indigenous youth the skills and training for in-demand jobs benefits everyone," says Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. "Program participants will be work ready and employers will have workers with the skills they need to succeed. Our government is committed to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action."

"My leadership skills have improved a lot.  I've been able to help people along the way and I've been able to engage with people from all over who I never expected to meet," says Bryse Houle, 2017 program graduate.

Former General Manager of Nazko First Nations, Brenda Gardner, says, "The First Nations Youth Training Program is hands down the best employment training program available for providing opportunities to training and hands on work".

"This program has been successful in prior years because of its industry involvement." says Mark Courtney, President of Blue Collar. "We have received strong enthusiasm about the FNYTP from members of the trades, worksite accommodation and forestry industries, both to participate in the delivery of the program and to potentially employ the program's participants".   Program supporters and sponsors include:  West Fraser Mills Ltd, Tolko Industries Ltd, Fountain Tire, Silva Gro Nursery, Barkerville Gold Mine, BV Electric, and Summit Camps.

Eligible candidates can find the job posting and application here: http://www.bluecollargroup.ca/fnytp.html

For more information, please email firstnationsyouthtraining@gmail.com  or call Jake Courtney at 250-983-2542 or Rita Rief at 250-983-5500