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For The Record

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST SUPPORTS FOREST WORKERS

Aug. 24, 2009
Ministry of Community and Rural Development
 

Here are the facts on the Community Development Trust programs.

  • Launched in May 2008, the Community Development Trust has three programs which collectively assist forest workers of all ages impacted by the downturn in the economy.
  • The three programs are:
    • the $85.5-million Transition Assistance for Older Workers program which assist more senior workers to retire or move on to other opportunities,
    • the $17.25-million Tuition Assistance Program which provides training opportunities,
    • and the $26.25-million Job Opportunities Program which supports communities to create short term employment.
    • This funding is being augmented with up to $30 million each from the Province of British Columbia and Government of Canada for job creation in all industry sectors.
    • In addition, up to $2 million from the Island Coastal Economic Trust is supporting Job Opportunities projects on Northern Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.

Transition Assistance for Older Workers

  • The $85.5-million Transition Assistance Program has assisted more than 1,700 forest workers with about $65-million in support. A new window for applications opened July 1 and will close Aug. 31, 2009, with the $20 million remaining in the fund.  In recognition of the remaining limited funding, workers aged 60 and up as of Dec. 31, 2009 are eligible to apply.
  • It makes sense to focus transition assistance on older workers.  Older applicants are more likely to permanently retire. When they do – they create opportunities for less senior workers.

Tuition Assistance

  • Through the $17.25-million Tuition Assistance Program, approximately 2,600 people have been provided with access up to $5,000 for retraining. The tuition funding is for forest workers who are expected to be on layoff for four months or longer.
  • The applications criteria were recently changed to open the program to a wider definition of forest workers. Previously, the Tuition Assistance Program was only available to forestry workers who were directly employed in the harvesting, hauling or primary manufacturing sectors. The definition of forest worker for the Tuition Assistance Program has expanded to people working full time in secondary manufacturing, nurseries and silviculture.
  • Applications are continually accepted throughout this three-year program.

Job Opportunities Program

  • Under the Job Opportunities Program (JOP), 209 projects worth over $50 million have been approved by the Ministry of Community and Rural Development. Once they are completed, these projects will have employed more than 2,000 people.
  • So far, more than 540 project applications have been received. Project applications were accepted until July 24, 2009 in order to ensure as many jobs as possible for the summer and fall 2009. Projects are rated and approvals will be decided based on the higher rated projects with attention to geographic distribution.
  • The JOP provides stability for workers and communities, maintains the workforce during the economic downturn and helps British Columbians gain new skills to be successful in the future.
For more information about the Community Development Trust, go to: www.cd.gov.bc.ca/cdt/