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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
2015SDSI0005-000105
January 30, 2015
Mass training benefits Maple Ridge, Tri-Cities auto sector
MAPLE RIDGE – Facing a need for car salespeople in the Maple Ridge-Tri-Cities area, Douglas
College is receiving more than $316,000 in provincial Community and Employer Partnership
funding to help up to 45 people get work experience in that sector.
Over the next year, three groups of up to 15 people are getting 10 weeks of skills training in
sales techniques and customer service, two weeks of on-the-job work experience at local car
dealerships and four weeks of job search support in preparation for the retail automotive sales
sector in Maple Ridge, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.
Workers will learn advanced sales strategies and negotiation skills, achieve a Professional
Dealership Sales Associate certificate and a Douglas College certificate of Completion in Retail
Automotive Sales Training.
Project-Based Labour Market Training helps groups of people with on- or off-the-job
employment training and is a component of Community and Employer Partnerships, which
were introduced in April 2012 as part of the Employment Program of BC.
To date, more than 500 job seekers have benefited from Community and Employer Partnership
work experience and 130 community projects have been funded.
Quotes:
Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae –
“Knowing there is a need for knowledgeable sales people in the retail automotive sector, this
Community and Employer Partnership will help fill that gap with well-trained people who will
be poised to make a good living selling cars and trucks.”
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Dr. Doug Bing –
“In the Maple Ridge-Tri Cities area, driving is a fact of life. People need vehicles and they need
good salespeople to help them choose the right one for them. This project will provide some
high-quality salespeople who will help our residents pick the right vehicle for them.”
Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton –
“This super example of Project-Based Labour Market Training will help fill a need for qualified
sales people in vehicle sales in the Maple Ridge-Tries Cities area. Once this project wraps up,
there will be up to 45 more qualified salespeople ready to help British Columbians select a car,
truck or van.”
Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Linda Reimer –
“The Community and Employer Partnership is great news for this region. Obtaining the proper
training is really important for people to be able to provide the best possible service to
customers looking to buy a new or pre-owned vehicle.”
Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Douglas Horne –
“The Tri-Cities area and Maple Ridge will benefit from having more well-trained, motivated
salespeople to help people choose their vehicles. This will also benefit the economy as more
people will be earning a good living, while others are buying vehicles.”
Douglas College Community and Contract Services programmer Sandy Camire –
“The automotive industry here in Maple Ridge and the Tri-Cities, as well as provincewide, is in
need of well trained, licensed employees. Douglas College is thrilled to have the opportunity to
assist in filling this gap by providing a pool of qualified candidates. Industry and employer
support is tremendous and they are telling us our program is exactly what they need. We are
proud to deliver this quality-filled program to assist participants in pursuing a lucrative career in
the automotive industry.”
New Car Dealers Association of BC president and CEO Blair Qualey –
"With record B.C. new car sales in 2014, this sales training program could not come at a better
time. The automotive sector has become a sophisticated, high technology business and offers
lucrative above-average wages, benefits and career opportunities. I congratulate the
Government of B.C. and Douglas College on their leadership.”
Participant Margaret –
“This program is giving me the opportunity to improve my sales skills as well as being able to
enter a new career where I can make a good living.”
Participant Neil –
“The backing and participation of many dealerships is an encouraging indication that we will be
successful in finding employment in the car sales industry.”
Quick Facts:
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In 2014-15, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and
labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as
the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
Funding supports 85 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and
the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
ƕ Job Creation Partnerships
ƕ Labour Market Partnerships
ƕ Project-Based Labour Market Training
ƕ Research and Innovation
The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs
Blueprint that helps align training and education with in-demand jobs and provides more
support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market or who face
unique challenges.
Who is eligible?
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Businesses
Non-profit organizations
Municipalities, agencies or territorial governments
Bands/tribal councils
Public health and educational institutions
Learn More:
For more information on Job Creation Partnerships and Community and Employer Partnerships:
http://www.workbc.ca/CEP
To find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca
To learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation:
www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi
Media Contact:
Grant Kerr
Ministry of Social Development and Social
Innovation
250 387-5635
Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect