CBT continues School Works Program this fall

Providing part-time employment for full-time high school students

Ryan Gerein, School Works employee, and Rob Porter, owner of Just Liquid Sports in Cranbrook. —

Photo courtesy Columbia Basin Trust

School Works provides an $8-per-hour wage subsidy to encourage small businesses and non-profit, First Nation and public sector organizations in the Basin to provide part-time employment for full-time high school and post-secondary students in the Basin during the school year.

"CBT is pleased to be able to continue the School Works Program this fall," said Sabrina Curtis, CBT director, planning and development. "We are providing $600,000 toward wage subsidies for Basin organizations to increase the availability of jobs for students."

College of the Rockies delivered the pilot and will continue to work in partnership with CBT to administer the program this fall.

"We are excited to continue collaborating with CBT after a very successful first run. The School Works Program has had such a positive impact on businesses throughout the Columbia Basin; we are thrilled to be a part of it," said Tracey Whiting, manager of Contract Training and Business Development at College of the Rockies.

From January to June, 64 businesses throughout the Basin hired students part-time with the support of the School Works Program.

The fall application intake for the School Works Program will begin on a first-come first-served basis on August 14. Check www.cbt.org/schoolworks for more information.

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.