A Partnership of Community and Youth

1. A Partnership of Community and Youth

2. Overview • Introduction to ACCESS • Background to BladeRunners • Role of Coordinators • Successful BladeRunners

3. ACCESS • The Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS) is a collaborative venture of the off-reserve Aboriginal community of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD). • ACCESS was conceived by the Native Education Centre, Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, and the United Native Nations in consultation and support of urban Aboriginal organizations. • The purpose of ACCESS is to enhance human resource development and the sustainable capacity of the urban Aboriginal population of the Greater Vancouver Region, through the provision of employment and training services.

4. What is BladeRunners? BladeRunners is a highly successful, internationally award-winning Provincial employment program, that helps at-risk youth aged 15-30 years old (ages vary from region to region) build careers in the construction industry.

5. Background • Began as a pilot project in 1994 during the construction of GM Place in Vancouver. • Created to meet a community need to offer employment to at-risk youth in the Downtown East Side (DTES). • Jim Green, a prominent community activist from the DTES championed the concept and successfully secured 25 jobs for disadvantaged, ‘street-involved’ youth. • In 1996, the Government of B.C. began formally supporting the program, and it soon expanded to other regions in the Province.

6. BladeRunners Mandate To provide unemployed marginalized at-risk youth with on-going support, job readiness skills, and workplace training so that they can overcome their barriers to employment and achieve long-term attachment to the workforce.

7. BladeRunners Proven Award-Winning Model • On-going support is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • Participants are supported to develop long-term employment attachment to the trades.   • Multi-sectoral partnerships are developed between the youth, community, employers, trades unions, post-secondary institutes, and various levels of government. • Participants learn life skills and job readiness skills, which helps them to build their self-esteem and confidence. • All delivery agents agree to follow and abide by a BladeRunners Guidelines & Framework Agreement in order to maintain overall consistency, continuity, integrity and identity.

8. Success Rates/Statistics • 80% provincial success rate for participants remaining self-sufficient (and off of income assistance) in the construction trades after 2 years. • 30% of people eventually become journeypeople. • In Vancouver, there is a 95% job placement rate. • 95% are Aboriginals • 20% or more are females • 84% are homeless or disguised homeless

9. Background of Participants Many participants have a background of: • Street-involvement • Conflict with the law • History of drug and alcohol addictions • Domestic abuse • Single parent homes • Poverty and income assistance dependence • History of foster care • Unstable housing • Low education including school truancy and dropping out

10. Eligibility Criteria • 15-30 years of age (exceptions can be made for older females) at risk-youth • Multiple barriers to employment • Physically fit and capable of doing labour-type jobs • Motivated • A strong desire to build and maintain a long-term career in the construction trades • Legally entitled to work in Canada

11. Priority is given to those with the most barriers and who are most in need. BladeRunners Recruitment BladeRunners recruit eligible participants through the following means: • Referrals from community agencies including local shelters, employment centres, youth programs, and justice programs • Active recruitment through face-to-face neighbourhood visits • Word-of-mouth • Self-referrals

12. Jim Green (Founder) & Garry Jobin (Vancouver Manager/Senior Coordinator) Role of the BladeRunners Coordinators • Provide unparalleled support for the youth 24 hours a day, seven days a week. • Provide crisis intervention, counseling, job coaching and mentoring services. • Liaise between participants and employers to make the transition as smooth as possible. • On-site support once per week for as long as the participants and foremen need it.

13. Kim Maust Bastien Developments Employer Partners • Each region has 50-300 employer partners, both union and non-union. • The employers provide on-the-job training as well as apprenticeship opportunities. • Employers sometimes sponsor additional training such as flagging courses. In other instances, they will cost-share for additional specialized equipment for participants. • Some employers are so supportive of the program and are so happy to get qualified entry-level employees, that they waive the wage subsidies.

14. Participant Training • Participants generally receive 3 weeks of intake, orientation, life skills, job preparedness, certified health and safety courses and hearing tests. • On-the-job training is provided by the employers. • Some participants take academic upgrading if attached to an apprenticeship opportunity.

15. Proprietor • The Government of British Columbia is the proprietor of the BladeRunners program and has established its reputation and distinctive image with the public and construction industry. • BladeRunners falls under the Ministry of Community Services.

16. Provincial Management • ACCESS is the provincial manager of the BladeRunners program. • ACCESS assists developing regions as they build capacity, partnerships, do community consultation, form advisory committees and secure additional funds. In addition to providing funding, ACCESS assists existing regions with networking, promotion, developing marketing materials, etc.

17. Current Regional Delivery Agents ACCESS (Vancouver) Nanaimo Youth Services Association (Nanaimo) The John Howard Society of Victoria (Victoria) Coast Salish Employment & Training Society (Duncan, Nanaimo, Victoria) United Native Nations Local 560 – Alberni Valley (Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet, Ahousat)

18. Special Supports for Participants • Referrals to community agencies • Hot meals • Bus tickets • $5 per day incentive allowances (some regions only) • Basic safety equipment • Basic rain gear

19. BladeRunners Funders The main providers of financial support to BladeRunners are: • Ministry of Community Services • Service Canada • ACCESS

20. Bruce Brown – Certified Plumber, Haida Gwaii “ With hard work and help from the right people you can do anything!” Successful BladeRunners

21. Jonathan Littlejohn – Vancouver Region “I became more independent and responsible for myself…I am now at a point where I can accept a hard task and live normally.”

22. Cassandra Wilson – Vancouver Region “When times were tough for me, they helped me out emotionally and professionally when I really needed it. I am thankful that they are still there for me.”

23. Chris Cardinal – Vancouver Region “I’m living a comfortable life these days…of course there’s always a challenge, but with what I’ve learned over the years, I’m ready to face any challenges as they come and look at them as stepping stones rather than obstacles.”

24. Sarah Shaw – Nanaimo Region “The BladeRunners program is wonderful and has done great things for me. I have made many new friends at work…I am proud that I have become part of my community.”

25. Philip J. Sam – CSETS Region “I would still be unemployed if it hadn’t of been for our coordinator and the BladeRunners program. I was really pleased to be picked for the program. And best of all, I’m working with a great construction crew. I’m on top of the world!”

26. ACCESS: Suite 108, 100 Park Royal West Vancouver, British Columbia V7T 1A2 John Webster (President & CEO) Tel: (604) 913-7933 ext. 30 john@buildingfuturestoday.com Darcy Castaneda (Provincial Coordinator) Tel: (604) 913-7933 ext. 26 darcy@buildingfuturestoday.com Vancouver BladeRunners Office: 56 West Hastings Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 1G6 Garry Jobin (Vancouver Manager) Tel: (604) 688-9116 garry@buildingfuturestoday.com Contacts

27. Skills Shortage? Early Recruitment!