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By Vernon Matters Staff

Province announces first round of support for forestry workers

Oct 19, 2019 | 8:01 AM

The B.C government has announced its first round of support for workers and communities impacted by recent mill closures.

Those impacted can now access forest worker support programs through a new online portal which contains information on the retirement bridging program, the forest employment program, and other funding grants and training opportunities.

A total of $69 million has been allocated towards forest worker support.

Applications are now being accepted for the retirement bridging program. Mill workers who are employees of a forestry company in the B.C. Interior may be eligible to receive up to $75,000, depending on their individual employment history and situation, to help with their transition to retirement. Eligibility information and applications are available at community Service BC offices or online at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/supports-for-forestry-workers/retirement-bridging-program

With the forest employment program, those affected in the Interior will be able to bid on short-term employment opportunities near communities directly impacted by a permanent mill closure.

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More information on the forest employment program, including an initial list of projects, is available here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=B58E4273B58F4FEB9FA78E0E75245C1F

The province says work is also underway to open community-based job placement offices in communities hardest hit by mill closures in the coming weeks including Fort St. James, Fort St. John, Mackenzie, 100 Mile House and Clearwater. Once the offices open, they will support impacted workers by connecting them to government programs and services, matching them with available industry jobs, and engaging with employers and unions.

Additional job placement and skills training programs will be announced in the next few weeks.

A link to the new website can be found here.

by Vernon Matters Staff
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