Friday, July 23, 2021

Blade Runners program to help prepare at risk youth for work on the North Coast

Some new funding towards a youth program in British Columbia will provide some additional supports for at risk youth in the North Coast region, with MLA Jennifer Rice noting of the opportunities that will be offered locally through the Blade Runners program.

The funding announcement from today, outlines how the John Howard Society of the Pacific Region has been awarded over 1.3 million dollars in funding over three years to offer the program on the North Coast, providing an opportunity to overcome barriers to employment.

“This new funding for the BladeRunner program will help young
people gain more control over their futures. 

The program will help to reduce barriers, teach young people valuable life skills, and provide them with more access to the skills they need to find and start their careers,”

The program looks to empower youth from ages 15-30 and offers them the chance to take control of their future and gain valuable experience. 

Among the paths that they can follow through the program: construction, culinary arts, health care, retail, hospitality, and office administration. In addition to job skills and work experience placements, youth build life skills and receive mentorship and other supports to help them participate and succeed in the program.

Further background on today's announcement is available here




The Hecate Strait Employment Centre (First Avenue East and
Behind the Prince Rupert Courthouse) is one of a few options
for youth to access the Blade Runners program


On the North Coast Region in the past, the program is coordinated through the Hecate Strait Employment Development Society. 

The funding from today notes that the program  will allow for the participation of 70 youth in the community over the three year period. 

An additional 102 spaces are included through the John Howard Society for both Terrace and Prince Rupert. 

The program is also offered through the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society, which has been allocated 210 spots as part of today's announcement. 




Other locations around the province hosting the program can be found here.

For more notes related to provincial politics see our archive page here.

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