sCapital News Friday, March 18, 2016
www.kelownacapnews.com A9
news _____________________________________________________________________ WESTBANK FIRST NATION
Sawyer Klassen sawyer.klassen@kelownacapnews.com
Westbank First Nation members have new professional skills thanks to Velocity Training Canada. Heavy equipment training was given to 17 participants by Velocity Training, funded by the B.C. Ministry of Social Development and with links to Employment Insurance. Acquiring heavy equipment training provides the participants with a conduit that can take them from EI to having a valuable skill to seek employment with. “When they graduate from our program they
get 170 hours of seat time,” said Shad Mailer, project lead for Velocity. “They learn foundations, which is everything to do with machines and maintenance and of course a great level of safety. “Then when they pass their foundations exam, they move into the heavy equipment portion, which is eight weeks of working on equipment.” The training doesn’t just include how to operate heavy equipment professionally, but also includes employability training such as resumé writing and mock interviews. The employability
Loud bang theory applied to local geese The City of Kelowna has received a ‘scare permit’ from Canadian Wildlife Service to use techniques such as lasers, falcons, dogs and loud noise makers to discourage geese from settling in Kelowna’s parks and beaches. The prevalence of goose droppings is an annoyance to park and beach users and can affect the beach water quality. Geese can also cause damage to sports field turf, increasing the time and cost for maintenance. While any park in Kelowna may require goose management, residents are advised that the scare techniques will more often occur in these parks: Mission Recreation Park, Parkinson Recreation Park (including the Apple Bowl), Elks Stadium, City Park and Waterfront Park. While goose management will be conducted Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. year-round, peak activity will occur in the spring and fall when there is generally an increase in geese population. These management techniques are used in conjunction with the egg addling program coordinated by Okanagan Valley Goose Management. The public is reminded to keep away from goose nests and to avoid touching the eggs. Information about the program is a vailable at okanagangooseplan.com.
“These (trainees) learned how to work in the mud. The exposure to adverse conditions, the snow, rain and just the muck, but the job still had to get done. “It was uncomfortable, it was messy, it was frustrating, but the person that comes out at the end, when they go to their next job they’ll find it easy.” This was the fourth time the province-wide program has come to the Okanagan, and Mailer said they are currently researching where they will go next.
training pays dividends for participants, as 40 per cent of the 17 grads were already employed at the graduation ceremony on March 4. The training program, which lasted 12 weeks, took place in an empty lot behind the Home Depot in West Kelowna. Through the work the participants did on the land, Mailer estimates they increased the value of the land by $30,000. “Normally we’ve been in gravel pits, where it can rain a lot and you don’t have to worry about anything,” he said.
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CONTRIBUTED
Skills training grads ready to work
Graduates of the Velocity Training Canada heavy equipment operating instructional program held in West Kelowna over the past 12 weeks.
The Central Okanagan Hospice Association tips its ‘top hat’ to all who supported our 8th Annual Swinging with the Stars - March 5, 2016
A standing ovation to our 2016 Presenting Sponsors: Bayshore Home Health, Jane Hoffman Group Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty and Small’s Tile and Flooring. Over $234,000 Raised in Revenue!!! Most Pledges Raised Award & Audience Choice Award: Drs. Jane Rishi and Edward Solano Judges Choice Award: Team Funk Ensemble: Debbie MacMillan, Brenda Lyall, Jill Hayes, Phred Martin, Scott Dedels, Steve Bennett and Lindsay Cousins
Shall We Dance: Bonne Belle Photography Bylands Garden Centre De Pieri Clinic Delta Grand Okanagan Resort Dignity Memorial Edge Digital Media Production Europa Salon and Spa/Aveda Great West Life Loyal Hair Therapy Okanagan Chrysler Jeep Dodge Quantum Graphics & Consulting Ltd. SW Audio Visual Westwood Fine Cabinetry Gotta’ Dance: Canadian School of Ballet Okanagan PHOTOSTAR – FIVE STAR Photo Booth Rentals Shaw Communication Inc. Vibrant Vine Supporting Cast: Avalon Event Rentals Dance Essentials Okanagan Chrysler Jeep Dodge Speedpro Signs TTM Events Voyager RV With thanks to: Andrew Johns Bliss Bridal Boutique Capital News Chair Flair Kelowna COHA Angel Fund Volunteers Chris Gibson Creative Spaces by Sheri Daily Courier Knight’s Fine Chocolates Larry Gray La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries Ramco Floor and Tile Sandrine French Pastry and Chocolate Sherry’s Grand Apparel Toby Tannas UPS Store - Dilworth Special thanks to our 2016 Dancing Stars: Dawn Balic; Fitness Instructor, Body by Balic Steve Bennett; Director, McIntosh Properties
Lindsay Cousins; Group Fitness Instructor, Oranj Dance and Fitness Scott Dedels; Regional Sales Director, Great West Life Geoff Hays; Stass/Hays & Associates, Managing Partner Jill Hayes; Clinical Trials Technician, BC Cancer Sharon Hughes-Geekie; Area Director, Bayshore Home Health Brenda Lyall; Owner, Praxis Debbie MacMillan; Event Planner, MacMillan Events Phred Martin; Owner, Splash: Design Curtis Quigley; Managing Partner; Group Venture Inc. Dr. Jane Rishi; Physician Dr. Edward Solano; General Surgeon, KGH Our Professional Dance Instructors: Carley Bailey; The Canadian School of Ballet Jennifer Large; The Canadian School of Ballet Lucy Hazelwood; LUKI Dance Productions Sharon Sebo; Tango Kelowna Samantha Sambrielaz & Jaime Cuberos, Latinesque Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio Our Judges: Rob Balsdon Tina Mandl Carey Small Our Professional Showcase Performers: Company B Dance Troupe, Canadian School of Ballet Femme Fatale – Tina Mandl, Jennifer Large, Kristi Essler Our Campaign Managers: Ashley Arnett – Team Hays Lesley Brydon – Team Balic Sylvia Fleming – Team Hughes-Geekie Tracy Rawlings,Jenny Schlacter, Crissy Cuddihy, Jody Hayes, Katia Brosseau, Tori Hayes – Team Rishi/Solano Kathleen Treadgold – Team Quigley Debbie MacMillan – Team Funk Ensemble SWTS Organizing Committee: Judy Abel, Carley Bailey, Ashley Dumas, Larry Gray, Sheri Hannah, Bruce Innes, Kathy Krasnov, Deb Ledwon, Judy Riddell, Rose Sexsmith, Ryan Tebbutt, Jan Woolsey
Photo Credit: Bonne Belle Photography We thank the COHA staff, Board of Directors and evening volunteers & guests for your continued support of our event
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