Support available to hire a student

The School Works Program benefited Tom Oglow, owner of Oglow’s Paint, Wallcoverings and Window Blinds in Castlegar, and student Patrick Linkletter.

Businesses and organizations around the Basin can once again get support to hire students through Columbia Basin Trust’s School Works program. Applications are available at cbt.org/schoolworks2014 and are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.

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. Co-op and practicum student positions are eligible. The program is administered by College of the Rockies.

Oglow’s Paint, Wallcoverings and Window Blinds in Castlegar is one of the organizations that has benefited.

“The program took a lot of pressure off us by allowing us to have someone do the heavy lifting and tinting paint—and at the same time learning new skills and dealing with different customers—while allowing us to concentrate on the front end,” said owner Tom Oglow. “The growth of the student’s confidence was very rewarding for everyone and we would recommend the program to anyone wishing to hire a student.”

The City of Fernie was also able to take advantage of the program. It hired a Geographic Information Systems co-operative student from Selkirk College’s School of Environment and Geomatics. The student helped City staff transform legacy engineering mapping and related databases into a new industry-standard system, a feat that would have taken much longer without the focus of a student.

“Our [Co-op] student received on-the-job experience in her trained field and had the opportunity to be both creative and innovative. She has walked away armed with skills and insight that many local governments will need as they move forward in upgrading their mapping systems,” said Lisa Janssen, Engineering Technologist, City of Fernie.

“School Works has proven to be a successful program for both businesses and students alike,” said Lisa Kilpatrick, Columbia Basin Trust Senior Manager, Sector Initiatives. “It gives local businesses and organizations some extra support, while increasing local employment opportunities for students to make some money and get valuable work experience during the school year.”

For more information on the School Works Program and to download the application form, visit cbt.org/schoolworks2014.