The BC Government announced on Monday it will be providing funding for training new community support or mental health care workers in the Campbell River area.
The funding will enable up to 15 people to learn the necessary skills through classroom training and on-the-job work experience.
The investment from the BC Government will be over $150,000, which will go to Discovery Community College in order to deliver the program. The program is scheduled to begin in-class learning on August 24.
“We know that health-care workers are in demand right now all over the province, including mental health care and community support workers,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “Training like this not only helps to meet the need for community health-care workers, but also provides British Columbians a clear path to a rewarding, long-term career.”
According to the government, the program is prioritizing program participants such as Indigenous peoples, immigrants, youth, and survivors of violence and/or abuse.
Once the scheduled classroom training and work experience is complete, the government says participants will receive two weeks of employment support in order to prepare them to become community support or mental health care workers in the Campbell River area.
“Knowing that we’re supporting people in Campbell River to get the skills they need to fill in-demand jobs, while helping community members, is heartening,” said Claire Trevena, MLA for North Island. “Having additional community support or mental health care workers in Campbell River will go a long way in battling the unprecedented dual public-health emergencies we’re facing with COVID-19 and the overdose crisis.”
Shelly Kernovich, the housing manager of Campbell River and North Island Transition Society – a partner on the project – says that she is grateful for the investment.
“It’s really important we start growing our own workers here, because it’s beneficial for everyone when we invest in those who live and work in our community,” said Kernovich.
Participants will complete the entire course by April 16, 2021.
The investment is being provided through WorkBC’s Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) Project-Based Labour Market Training
Graham Cox
