The province has announced that it plans to invest more than $450,000 in training and providing work experience to up to 25 British Columbians in the Clearwater, Merritt, South Cariboo and Kamloops areas, who have been affected by the economic downturn in the forestry sector.
The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 115 has partnered with contractors Emil Anderson Construction, Dawson Blacktop and Dawson Group to provide the roadwork and heavy-construction training programs.
“Providing new skills to workers is a much-needed solution to addressing the worker shortage in B.C.,” said Brian Cochrane, business manager of IUOE Local 115. “The IUOE Local 115 is a leader in teaching new workers heavy equipment operating skills, and is proud to be working with the B.C. government to train them to rise above in B.C.’s Interior communities.”
Participant training will include classroom instruction in computer and communications skills, technical training in asphalt paving and heavy equipment operations, on-the-job work experience with an IUOE Local 115 signatory employer, and follow-up support and mentoring to help participants find jobs in the road-building and heavy-construction industry.
“Our priority is supporting workers and their families when it comes to the challenges facing British Columbia’s forestry sector,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “Training and employment opportunities like this help impacted workers expand their skills and open up more job options for them, enabling them to support themselves and their families.”
The project is seeking applicants for Feb. 18th and April 6th, 2020, start dates in Kamloops and 100 Mile House. There are spaces for 25 participants in the two projects.
Anyone interested in applying or attending an information session can contact their local WorkBC centre or IUOE Training Association: [email protected].
