Job experience program fixes, fences, campsites, trails

BARRIERE – Four people are revving up the chainsaws and getting experience in the forestry industry through a job creation partnership with the Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society.

Participants are getting 39 weeks of on-the-job experience working on a North Thompson fencing and trails restoration program. Workers will re-establish and create trails, overhaul a local campsite, repair fencing, plant 2,000 tree seedlings, treat invasive weeds and maintain 120 geocache sites for outdoor treasure hunters. They also will gain skills in working with chainsaws, computer mapping and GPS while earning industry and WorkSafeBC certification.

John Narcisse, a participant in the $143,000 project funded by the provincial government, said he’s learning some good skills.

“This program is giving me the experience and confidence with power saws I need. I feel a lot more comfortable applying for a saw operating job now. I can also do maintenance and minor repairs to the saws now.”

Job Creation Partnerships are a component of the Employment Program of B.C.’s Community and Employer Partnerships, which fund projects that increase employability and share labour market information.

To date, about 340 job seekers have obtained work experience and about 100 projects have been funded.

“This project is providing participants with hands-on skills development in forestry and environmental management,” said Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake.

“Thanks to this partnership the community will benefit from newly restored trails, campsites and marked geocache sites which will be a great attraction for both residents and visitors in Barriere.”