BladeRunners

1
BladeRunners

• A Partnership of Community and Youth

2
Overview

• Introduction to ACCESS
• Background to BladeRunners
• Role of Coordinators
• Successful BladeRunners

3
ACCESS

• An Aboriginal Human Resources Development
  Agreement Holder (AHRDA) that provides training
  and employment opportunities to urban Aboriginal
  people in Vancouver

4
What is BladeRunners

• BladeRunners is a highly successful,
  internationally award-winning Province of British
  Columbia employment program, that helps at-risk
  youth aged 15-30 years old (ages vary from region
  to region) build careers in the construction
  industry.

5
Background

• Began as a pilot project in 1994 during the
  construction of GM Place in Vancouver.

• Created to meet a community need to offer
  employment to at-risk youth in the Downtown East
  Side (DTES).

6
Background

• Jim Green, a prominent community activist from
  the DTES founded the program for disadvantaged,
  street-involved youth.

In 1996, the Government of B.C. began formally
supporting the program, and it soon expanded to
other regions in the Province.
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BladeRunners Award-Winning Model

• On-going support is provided 24 hours a day, 7
  days a week.
• Participants are supported to develop long-term
  employment attachment to the trades.

• Multi-sectoral partnerships are developed between
  the youth, community, employers, trades unions,
  post-secondary institutes, and various levels of
  government.

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BladeRunners Award-Winning Model

• Participants learn life skills, job readiness
  skills, and become safety certified, which helps
  them to build their self-esteem and confidence.

9
BladeRunners Award-Winning Model

• All delivery agents agree to follow and abide by
  a BladeRunners Guidelines Framework Agreement
  in order to maintain overall consistency,
  continuity, integrity and identity.

10
Success Rates / Stats

• 80 provincial success rate for participants
  remaining self-sufficient (and off of income
  assistance) in the construction trades after 2
  years.
• 30 of people eventually become journey people.

11
Success Rates / Stats

• In Vancouver, there is a 95 job placement rate.
• 95 are Aboriginals
• 25 or more are females
• 84 are homeless or disguised homeless

12
Background of Participants

• Many participants have a background of
• Street-involvement
• Conflict with the law
• History of drug and alcohol addictions
• Domestic abuse
• Single parent homes

13
Background of Participants

• Many participants have a background of
• Poverty and income assistance dependence

• History of foster care
• Unstable housing
• Low education including school truancy and
  dropping out
• Currently experiencing multiple barriers and who
  are most in need

14
BladeRunners Roles

• Provide unparalleled support for the youth 24
  hours a day, seven days a week.
• Provide crisis intervention, counseling, job
  coaching and mentoring services.

15
BladeRunners Roles

• Liaise between participants and employers to make
  the transition as smooth as possible.
• On-site support once per week for as long as the
  participants and foremen need it.

16
Employer Partners

• Each region has 50-300 employer partners, both
  union and non-union.

• The employers provide on-the-job training as well
  as apprenticeship opportunities.

17
Employer Partners

• Employers sometimes sponsor additional training
  such as flagging courses. In other instances,
  they will cost-share for additional specialized
  equipment for participants.
• Some employers are so supportive of the program
  and are so happy to get qualified entry-level
  employees, that they waive the wage subsidies.

18
Participants In Class Training

• 3 weeks of in class training includes
• Orientation
• Life Skills
• Job Preparation
• Health and Safety Certification Courses
• Hearing Tests

19
Proprietor

• The Government of British Columbia is the
  proprietor of the BladeRunners program and has
  established its reputation and distinctive image
  with the public and construction industry.
• BladeRunners falls under the Ministry of
  Community Services.

20
Provincial Management

• ACCESS is the provincial manager of the
  BladeRunners program.
• ACCESS assists developing regions as they build
  capacity, partnerships, do community
  consultation, form advisory committees and secure
  additional funds. In addition to

providing funding, ACCESS assists existing
regions with networking, promotion, developing
marketing materials, etc.
21
Current Regional Delivery Agents

• ACCESS (Vancouver)
• Nanaimo Youth Services Association (Nanaimo)
• The John Howard Society of Victoria (Victoria)
• Coast Salish Employment Training Society
  (Duncan, Nanaimo, Victoria)
• United Native Nations Local 560 Alberni Valley
  (Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet, Ahousat)

22
Special Supports for Participants

• Referrals to community agencies
• Hot meals
• Bus tickets

23
Special Supports for Participants

• 5 per day incentive allowances (some regions)
• Basic safety equipment
• Basic rain gear

24
BladeRunners Founders

• Ministry of Community Services
• Service Canada
• Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement
  (AHRDA) Holders
• ACCESS

25
Successful BladeRunners

• Bruce Brown (Haida Gwaii)
• With the help from the BladeRunners
  coordinators, I was able to become a certified
  plumber and support my family.

26
Successful BladeRunners

• Jonathan Littlejohn (Vancouver)
• I became more independent and responsible for
  myself I am now at a point where I can accept a
  hard task and live normally.

27
Successful BladeRunners

• Cassandra Wilson (Vancouver)
• When times were tough for me, they helped me out
  emotionally and professionally when I really
  needed it. I am thankful that they are still
  there for me.

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Successful BladeRunners

• Chris Cardinal (Vancouver)
• Im living a comfortable life these daysof
  course theres always a challenge, but with what
  Ive learned, Im ready to face any challenges as
  they come and look at them as stepping stones
  rather than obstacles.

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Successful BladeRunners

• Sarah Shaw (Nanaimo)
• The BladeRunners program is wonderful and has
  done great things for me. I have made many new
  friends at workI am proud that I have become
  part of my community.

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Successful BladeRunners

• Derrick Boismeir (Vancouver)
• What I like best about the BladeRunners program
  is the strong support and encouragement you
  receive from the BladeRunners coordinators as
  well as from current BladeRunners.

31
Contacts

• ACCESS
• Suite 108, 100 Park Royal
• West Vancouver, British Columbia
• V7T 1A2
• John Webster (President CEO)
• Tel [phone] ext. 30
• john_at_buildingfuturestoday.com
• Darcy Castaneda (Provincial Coordinator)
• Tel [phone] ext. 26
• darcy_at_buildingfuturestoday.com

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Contacts

• Vancouver BladeRunners Office
• 56 West Hastings Street
• Vancouver, British Columbia
• V6B 1G6
• Garry Jobin (Vancouver Manager)
• Tel [phone]
• garry_at_buildingfuturestoday.com