Increasing student employment opportunities, courtesy of CBT
By Contributor
The School Works Program pilot, which began its successful run in February, is being offered again this fall to Basin-based businesses and organizations.
School Works provides an $8/hour wage subsidy to encourage small businesses and non-profit, First Nation and public sector organizations in the Basin to provide part-time employment for full-time high school and post-secondary students in the Basin during the school year.
“CBT is pleased to be able to continue the School Works Program this fall,” said Sabrina Curtis, CBT Director, Planning and Development. “We are providing $600,000 toward wage subsidies for Basin organizations to increase the availability of jobs for students.”
College of the Rockies delivered the pilot and will continue to work in partnership with CBT to administer the program this fall.
“We are excited to continue collaborating with CBT after a very successful first run. The School Works Program has had such a positive impact on businesses throughout the Columbia Basin; we are thrilled to be a part of it,” Tracey Whiting, Manager of Contract Training and Business Development at College of the Rockies.
From January to June, 64 businesses throughout the Basin hired students part-time with the support of the School Works Program.
The fall application intake for the School Works Program will begin on a first-come first-served basis on August 14. Check www.cbt.org/schoolworks for more information.
CBT supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit www.cbt.org or call 1.800.505.8998.
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Nakusp Public Library Cutline: L to R: Sebina Iseli-Otto, Librarian and Marina Cunningham, School Works Program student employee at the Nakusp Public Library.
Participant quotes:
“I had a chance to improve my people skills. My job was very one-on-one with clients of the library and included being asked lots of questions. I’m going to study interior design after graduating grade 12, so having good people skills will be very important. I also increased my knowledge about books, gave reading recommendations, and practiced my writing skills through writing documentation on how to use eReaders.”
-Marina Cunningham, Student Works employee, Nakusp Public Library
“Having Marina here was awesome. The people who Marina helped were so grateful. This is something we couldn’t have done without her, as other staff doesn’t always have the time.” -Sabina Iseli-Otto, Librarian, Nakusp Public Library
Dig Garden Centre, South Slocan, Cutline: L to R: Dig Garden Centre Co-owner Mark Loran and School Works student employee Andrew Falle.
Participant quotes:
“Having a student work with us has allowed us to focus on building our business by hiring additional plant specialists. Our student, Andrew, is a self-starter who takes initiative. He is learning from the plant specialists here and we think getting great job experience.”
-Lori Loran, Co-Owner, Dig Garden Centre
Just Liquid Sports, Cranbrook, Cutline: Ryan Gerein, School Works employee and Rob Porter, Owner, Just Liquid Sports.
Participant quotes:
“I loved my part-time job. Through this job I confirmed how much I love water sports. My favourite part about the job was the Wednesday paddle night. It’s cool to see customers enjoying their boat. I learned lots of new job skills, including quick books accounting software and how to talk to customers. I used to be really shy and now it’s not a big deal for me to talk to people in the store and I am much more outgoing.”
-Ryan Gerein, Summer Works employee, Just Liquid Sports
“Having Ryan here gave me time to plan for business growth and generally more time for business strategy. It gave me the opportunity to begin planning for Cranbrook’s White Water Park as well as plan for paddling club, both things that will grow my customer base. I was also able to focus on my business expansion-an 800 square foot space next door. I would not have been able to plan for this growth if I was not able to hire someone. This program makes a small business owner’s life easier.”
-Rob Porter, Owner, Just Liquid Sports
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