The Columbia Basin Trust is giving residents in East Kootenay the chance to help improve local trails through seasonal employment opportunities.
The Basin Job Experience Trail Crew Program will create 47 short term jobs this spring and summer for those who are unemployed or underemployed.
This collaboration between the Columbia Basin Trust, community trails, and recreation groups allows residents to gain jobs and develop work skills while they maintain, repair and enhance local recreational trails for everyone
Program members will receive advantages through training and the development of new or improved skills in areas such as first aid, trail-building, carpentry, chainsaw operations and GPS use.
“These opportunities will support employment while helping keep trails accessible, inviting and safe. Whether it’s someone learning a new technical skill or growing their work experience, the trail crew jobs help strengthen our local workforce and ensure the sustainability of recreation assets that welcome people outdoors year-round.” said Kris Belanger, Senior Manager, Delivery of Benefits, Columbia Basin Trust.
This program will provide more than $320,000 in financial support and create nearly 50 jobs for 15 different organizations in 13 communities.
One East Kootenay organization being highlighted by the program is the Fernie Trails Alliance Association (FTA) which manages a trail network for year-round activities such as hiking, biking, trail running and cross-country skiing.
The FTA has a wide range of maintenance and improvement requirements to accomplish each season. The program will provide some much needed assistance by creating five jobs and providing $25,000 to the FTA.
Melanie Wrigglesworth, Executive Director of the Fernie Trails Alliance Association explains the importance of the program’s role, not only for the FTA but the community in general.
“Columbia Basin Trust’s Trail Crew wage subsidy program is critical to our ability to maintain and enhance our trails while building meaningful local employment. The program allows us to provide fair wages, mentorship and practical training. Which helps workers build confidence and professional skills while contributing directly to the Fernie trail network, a key piece of community infrastructure. These trails benefit residents, visitors and the local economy.” said Wrigglesworth.
This year’s agenda has the FTA trail crew focusing on new signage, trail surface repairs and the completion of a technical biking feature on “Bacon Bits”, their newest trail.
Additional East Kootenay organizations that will benefit from the program include Cranbrook Community Forest Society, Kimberley Nordic Club and Kimberley Trails Society.
The Basin Job Experience Trail Crew Program will be assisting many other Kootenay communities. You can view the full list of approved local organizations here.
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