A4
Thursday, October 1, 2015 100 Mile Free Press
www.100milefreepress.net
More students benefiting from trades training $20,000 going to Cariboo Chilcotin School District for trades training program
Gaven Crites Free Press
The number of students getting hands-on experience last year with the Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA) program was the highest since the 2009 pre-recession years, with more than 1,000 students registered across British Columbia. Recognizing the benefits of young people pursuing these types of careers, the Industry Training Authority (ITA), which facilitates training in the trades and industry occupations in the province, is funding the Cariboo Chilcotin School District to the tune of $20,000 to support the SSA program throughout the 2015-16 school year. The funds help place students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 with local employers to attain practical experience and
Gaven Crites photo
Justin Shearer, 18, successfully completed the Secondary School Apprenticeship program with RJB Trucking in 100 Mile House, an experience he recommends to other students considering a trades career.
gain credit towards their high school diploma and the apprenticeship portion of their trades training. A local success story is that of Justin Shearer, 18, who’s pursuing a commercial transport/ heavy duty mechanic
career. He successfully completed the SSA program as a Grade 12 student this summer with RJB Trucking in 100 Mile House. “They help me every step of the way,” says Shearer, who was subsequently hired on with
the company. He adds the program is something he recommends to other students considering similar occupations. Shearer’s employer, Rhonda Brown of RJB Trucking, says their experience with the
program, and their student, has been equally positive. “We’re very happy with him,” she says of Shearer. “We’ve noticed a big difference from when he started the program up until now, and he contributes to the shop quite a bit.” Brown recommends other local businesses get involved if they can. The SSA program is an excellent way to help young people get a head start into a career in trades, says Dave Corbett, School District 27 career programs coordinator. “We have had a number of secondary students in the Cariboo Chilcotin benefit from this program and continue to see an increase as more and more students pursue an apprenticeship while still attending school.” Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett says this region will
Dirty laundry issues aired
Carole Rooney Free Press
The He alt h Employees’ Union (HEU) sent an e-mail to its members on Sept. 21, stating it had just got notification from the Penticton Herald, following a Freedom of Information request that showed Interior Health Authority (IHA) has been talking about laundry service changes for five years, but the union wasn’t officially consulted until November 2014. The documents also indicate IHA was looking at a 25-year plan for upgrading laundry equipment, not 10-to15 years as it publicly stated, the HEU noted. HEU-100 Mile House chair and shop steward Barb Matfin says one of the biggest revelations was IHA’s admission that its decision has been delayed due to “complications” and has been postponed until December.
“
You know, buddy, you sure want clean sheets and a clean toilet when you end up in the hospital, laundry is part of health care."
– Barb Matfin “Interior Health was supposed to make their decision by now. Especially the two workers who are [facing] losing their jobs, they’d like to know if they are going to have [paycheques for] Christmas, or be able to plan their finances, etc.” Matfin adds it was quite a surprise the IHA has been considering privatizing laundry for five years earlier than it had indicated to the union – a communication requirement that is covered under the collective agreement. “Laundry workers in 100 Mile go to work every day wondering if they’re going to have a job or not. It’s been very stressful for them, and for all workers at the South Cariboo
Health Centre. “Nobody wants to see our laundry services go; it’s efficient, it’s crucial, and it’s here.”
Matfin says she’d like to know if CaribooChilcotin MLA Donna Barnett has made her pledged support for saving these jobs clear to Health Minister Terry Lake. “Shipping dirty laundry back and forth over winter roads makes no sense. Cutting local jobs makes no sense.
“We can only hope that the fact our District of 100 Mile council, our Cariboo Regional District, our MLA and many local folks who signed our petition [and] have all condemned the plan will have some bearing on the [IHA] decision.” Continued on A5
TOTAL PET IS PROUD TO BE A SPONSOR OF THE 100 MILE HOUSE SPCA
S.P.C.A
ADOPT•A•PET
100 MILE HOUSE • 250-395-5303 CO-EXISTING WITH BEARS.
With Fall now upon us, black bears are beginning to fatten up in preparation for hibernation. They need to rapidly build up their fat reserves in order to survive the winter. For bears looking to bulk up, human foods, like those found in compost piles and garbage bins are an attractive option. There is potential for conflict whenever bears are drawn in to urban areas by human foods. Human-bear conflicts can be reduced by following these tips:
CLIP & SAVE
2 For 1 Fish Coupon Expires Oct. 17/15 Must present coupon at time of purchase. No cash value. 100 MILE TOTAL PET ONLY
NOW STOCKINg
Weruva Wet Cat Foods in Pouches and Tins
10¢ off
- Keep garbage secured in the house, garage or shed until pick-up day. per can - Pick up ripe and fallen fruit from trees and bushes daily. Limit 12 Coupon Expires Oct. 17/15 - Harvest garden vegetables as they ripen. Must present coupon at time - Clean barbecue grills after each use, and store of purchase. No cash value. barbecues in a 100 MILE TOTAL PET ONLY secure area. 100 Mile’s Full line Pet store - Bring pet food dishes inside. - Turn compost regularly, and ‘For people who are proud of their pets.’ keep compost Mon. - Sat. 9:00am - 5:30pm bins covered.
VIEW ANIMALS AT: www.spca.bc.ca/100milehouse
250-395-8935
UPTOWN PLAZA, HORSE LAKE RD.
need skilled workers in the years ahead and these students are in a prime position to earn those jobs. “This funding will provide students with skills development through practical, hands-on experience.” ITA chief executive
officer Gary Herman says there are more skilled tradespeople retiring from the workforce than entering it. “So we need to support the youth in trades training, so they are ready to respond to the increasing demand in the labour market.”
Customer Appreciation Day ONE DAY ONLY
Heidi & Staff at Higher Ground Natural Foods are excited
On October 2, we will be offering:
20% off STOREWIDE
EXCLUDING CONSIGNMENT ITEMS AND CARIBOO WATER.
9:30 am - 5:30 pm
There will be FREE draws, samples and snacks! Thank you for your continued patronage.
ENTE
MAGIC R OUR BUL DRAW LET
250-395-2261 • 104 Birch Ave. hgnfoods@shaw.ca love100milehouse.com/businesses/higher-ground-natural-foods
FRIDAY NIGHT
FUN
IS BACK AT
The NEW
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT by Kira Saenger & Peter Thorne
FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL
3-Course Prime Rib Dinner
$25.00 PP in the
1871 Lodge Reservations Recommended
250-791-5225
Highway 97 North, 108 Mile Ranch