BC provides youth beneficial experience through Youth Empowerment Program

#BCYouth; #StrongerBC; #CleanBc; #BCEconomicRecoveryPlan; #YEP; #Diversity; #Inclusion; #COS 

British Columbia/Canadian-Media: Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) was launched in late September, as part of StrongerBC: BC's Economic Recovery Plan, focusing on diversity and inclusion to hire young people from under-represented groups, provides 43 jobs with BC Parks and the Conservation Officer Service (COS) for young people between the ages of 19 to 30, media reports said. 

Image: YEP. Image credit: Twitter handle

“COVID-19 has challenged young people in many ways, including employment. A recovery that leaves young people behind is no recovery,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. 

With mentoring from experienced park rangers and conservation officers, the youth employees assist with a variety of duties and projects that support conservation and recreation, while others working as office-based interns in Smithers and with the Provincial Services Branch in Victoria, contribute to research, communications, archival work, program development and policy work.

Trained by WildsafeBC, COS YEP participants, including three designated as wildlife safety officers have provided educational materials on wildlife safety to the public.
 
“The Youth Employment Program has been an amazing opportunity to learn about different species of birds and plants, and improve my outdoor leadership skills,” said Kjersten McDonald, based in the Rathtrevor office on Vancouver Island. “I love working outside in nature with different park rangers, and I think I would really enjoy doing this type of work in the long term.” 

Based on progress made with new investments to support programs to help expand CleanBC, B.C.’s Economic Recovery Plan will build to reduce air pollution and tackle climate change, while at the same time preparing for its impact and creating new jobs.