Job placement offices are opening in northern interior communities hardest hit by mill closures.
In Fort St. James, the office is officially opening today, Jan. 15. Workers will also be able to access information and apply online for the job placement program here.
The office in Fort St. James is located at 2537 Stones Bay Road and hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The website will be updated by end of day Wednesday, the ministry said in an e-mail response to the Caledonia Courier.
These job placement co-ordination offices are now open in five Interior communities including 100 Mile House, Fort. St John, Mackenzie, Clearwater and Fort St. James, stated a Jan. 15 news release by the ministry of labour.
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Eligible forestry workers will have their needs and goals assessed, and then will be connected to programs or services that match them with other jobs, support or training, stated Melody Wey, communications manager for the ministry of labour.
These programs or services can include upgrading education, special designations, credentials or certifications ranging from trade tickets to driver’s license classifications.
Additionally, as part of the assessment, they will be looking at other factors such as worker’s willingness to move to a place where similar job vacancies are available, Wey wrote.
Hobbies and skills such as carpentry and cooking will also be assessed, where with additional help, the worker can participate in different sectors and trades that are experiencing labour shortages, she added.
Each office will employ a co-ordination officer who is a displaced forestry worker. These co-ordinator’s understand what clients are experiencing and are trained to assist others in finding jobs or training opportunities,” the ministry said in the release.
For more questions about the program or eligibility, Wey recommends calling the toll-free number 1-844-778-2200.
Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
