Prince George, B.C.- When the Steelworkers local 1-424 conducted a survey of workers on what they needed to help them through the downturn in the forest industry, one of the items was assessment and training.

Under a project announced today, the Federal and Provincial Government’s are putting dollars into a program that will help workers upgrade their skills

Minister of Forests and Range, Pat Bell, says   this is a $2 million dollar project that will help not only forestry workers, but all workers who are facing employment challenges during this economic downturn “This is a time for all to work collaboratively” says Bell.

The United Steelworkers will deliver this program which has already hired a project coordinator. “There will be workshops this month, so we really have hit the ground running on this one” says Bell.

The program  will help not only the unemployed, but others who need transitional skills during a difficult economic time. Patricia Tucker is a prime example. She has her class “C’ welding ticket, but needs 300 hours of work before she can move up to a “Class B” which would virtually guarantee her employment. Employers are not in a position to take on a person like Patricia right now and for her, the new program will pay her wages so that  she can gain that experience.

Steelworkers President Frank Everitt says this is a new concept “This is an opportunity ahead of more downfall as we are saying to workers, this is your opportunity to upgrade skills before there is another change in the industry.”

While there is some optimism, Forest Minister Pat Bell says this will be a difficult year.

The spot lumber price was $177 this morning, still well below any profit level for companies, but Prince George Omineca MLA John Rustad says this is the type of program that is needed to ensure there is a healthy and strong work force when things turn around.

Deputy Premier Shirley Bond says extraordinary times, call for extraordinary measures and this program is one of those extraordinary measures.

It is expected about 200 people will access the program which is designed to help the unemployed with   employment search and the underemployed or employed upgrade skills for new employment.

“There are some who think Forestry is withering on the vine, that its dying, well that’s not true” says program coordinator Terry Tate, “ It will be a different industry when things turn around and this program will help workers prepare for the jobs that will be available when that happens.”