CKPG File Image

By Caden Fanshaw

BC GOV

Northern B.C. idea turns into $2.95m grant to help impacted workers

Apr 28, 2023 | 10:33 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – An idea born in Northern B.C. has turned into a new fund launched by BC’s Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Social Development.

Minister Sheila Malcomsen announced the new grant at Hubspace in Prince George on Friday giving credit to the people on the ground who came up with the idea.

“The forestry industry and communities are facing challenges, so we are supporting those affected by helping them land stable, good jobs and move away from the old boom-and-bust cycles,” said Sheila Malcolmson, B.C. Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “People who want to build their own businesses can get training and in-person supports through our funding, so they won’t have to face that process alone.”

Through a $2.95-million grant to Hubspace, the new Build Your Own Future (BYOF) program will provide foundational business skills to prepare participants to start and grow their own businesses. The program will include training in finance, marketing and sales, operations, project management, health and safety, customer service, leadership, and diversity. In addition to offering participants intensive and customized support for their business startups, those who complete the training are eligible for a $5,000 grant to cover qualified business startup expenses.

WANTED MAN

Man Wanted for Attempted Murder, Triple Murder

1h ago

Community

Prince George celebrates the 325 anniversary of the Sikh faith

May 18, 2024

Fort Nelson Wildfire

Prince George Fire Centre the "primary risk" according to B.C. Government

May 17, 2024

“When people need support preparing to return to work, the federal government is there to help” said Carla Qualtrough, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. “Supporting Hubspace will make sure forestry workers can stay in Prince George and make their community stronger. This grant will help workers gain the foundational skills they need to do that.”

Hubspace is a non-profit organization headquartered in Prince George that helps the region’s technology community grow and innovate. It has been a program-delivery partner of Innovate BC since 2012, supporting technology-centred entrepreneurs expand their businesses and adopt technology.

The grant is geared towards laid off millworkers and tradespeople in relation to the recent downturn in forestry, but open to any workers affected with rising inflation.

The goal is to help dozens of employees start their own businesses within the next year.

Through its community transition rapid-response teams, the Province identified transition supports for mill tradespeople and technicians interested in opening businesses in their community as an unmet need. Rapid response teams provide on-the-ground support to people and communities during a major disruption to the area’s labour market, such as mill curtailments or closures.

“It is a big risk to venture into something that may fail without the proper resources and support,” said Debbie Domeij, a Houston resident who was recently laid off after 12 years at the Canfor mill. “This program is a fantastic opportunity, especially as a single parent, and one that I hadn’t thought about until it was put in my corner.”

The $2.95-million provincial grant to extend and expand the Hubspace program comes from the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement. Under the agreement, the Province receives more than $300 million each year to fund employment services and supports, including those provided through the 102 WorkBC centres throughout B.C.