A government-funded program is giving unemployed Aboriginal people paid training and hands-on work experience in the Thompson-Nichola region’s horticulture industry.
The Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band is receiving more than $130,000 for the First Nations Horticulture Program, a training project that will provide up to 12 aboriginal people with the skills needed to find full-time employment in horticulture areas such as golf course maintenance, landscaping, greenhouses and agricultural settings, including local wineries.
Participants in the project are trained in a full-time, group-based setting that includes 12 weeks of employability and occupational skills training, nine weeks of on-the-job work experience with local horticulture employers, and three weeks of follow-up support in their search for work.
The project was developed in collaboration with employers to address the need for workers in the local horticulture industry. It addresses a labour market issue found in the Shuswap region that sees businesses struggling to hire local people due to a lack of training opportunities.
Employer partners providing work experience opportunities are the Quaaout Lodge & Talking Rock Golf Course, Celista Estate Winery,Crannog Ales,Sorrento Nurseries and Marionette Winery.
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation funding is provided through the Project-Based Labour Market Training stream of the Community and Employer Partnerships program, which funds projects that increase employability levels and share labour market information.
