Businesses and organizations around the Basin can once again get support to hire students through the School Works Program of Columbia Basin Trust (CBT). Applications are available at www.cbt.org/schoolworks starting August 14, and are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
In a statement released Monday the CBT said the program provides a wage subsidy of up to $8/hour to encourage employers to provide part-time employment to full-time high school and post-secondary students during the school year. Small businesses and non-profit, First Nation and public sector organizations in the Basin may apply. Changes to the program this year include eligibility for co-op and practicum student positions.
This is the third year of the School Works Program, which is administered by College of the Rockies (COTR).
“The School Works Program provides a fantastic opportunity for businesses in the Basin to hire students, and for the students to gain valuable work experience and increase their skills,” Tracey Whiting, COTR’s manager Contract Training and Business Development, said in the statement. “We receive such excellent feedback from the participants about this program and we are delighted to continue as delivery partner with CBT.”
Shawn and Young Seon Cook, owners of Revelstoke’s Courthouse Inn are very satisfied with their participation in both the School Works Program and the Summer Works Program.
“It’s an excellent program helping both small business and the student,”Young Seon told The Current. “We participated in the Summer Works Program with CBT between June 2012 and August 2012 and the Schoolwork Program between September 2012 and May 2013. We had our best year in 2012 since we opened our business with lots of help from our student, Rayne Kramer.”
CBT President Neil Muth said the CBT has committed $3.5 million over three years to increase employment opportunities for students in the Basin.
“The interest in both the School Works Program and its complementary summertime program, Summer Works, has been fantastic,” he said in the statement. “This is an encouraging sign that these programs are having tangible effects in Basin communities.”
For more information on the School Works Program, and to download the application form, visit www.cbt.org/schoolworks.
The CBT supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit www.cbt.org or call 1-800-505-8998.
