By Diane Strandberg
The Tri-City News
B.C. businesses now have some extra incentive to hire young people thanks to a new pilot program aimed at bolstering youth employment.
Under the Youth Skills BC Workplace Pilot Program, employers can apply for $2,000 for training to hire young people between the age of 15 and 29. An additional $1,000 is available to purchase training programs for the youth, according to Gail Finnson, of Bowman Employment Services which is administering the program for the province.
The program is expected to assist approximately 650 unemployed youth in B.C. to upgrade their workplace skills.
Finnson said hiring inexperienced youth can be costly to employers but the incentive will go along way to enabling businesses to hire the people they want.
"I think it's going to be (good for) any kind of employer - any that can see the value of having that $2,000 to bring that person on board," Finnson said, adding that the program is targeting youth who are not on unemployment insurance.
"It's going to help them, it's like something extra in their tool box," she said about the training.
To find out more, visit www.bowmanemploymentn.com/ysbc or call toll-free 1 877 866-3100 or 1-888-466-1375.
