Older Forestry Workers Helped By Fund

TRUST OPENS $20M TRANSITION

OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKERS

VICTORIA – A program designed to financially assist older workers in transitioning out of the forest sector will be accepting applications July 1 to Aug. 31, 2009.

Through the Community Development Trust’s Transition Assistance program, forest workers aged 60 and older as of Dec. 31, 2009 who meet the program eligibility requirements may be able to access up to $35,000 to transition to retirement or other activities.

“So far, we have been able to assist more than 5,700 workers, their families and communities through the Community Development Trust programs,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development. “This continuation of the Transition Assistance program will assist those workers age 60 and older to access new opportunities, while opening positions within the industry for junior workers.”

The Transition Assistance program will be accepting applications from forest workers whose primary occupation for at least the past two years has been directly involved in the harvesting, hauling or primary manufacture of wood fibre in British Columbia as an employee of a major licensee, contractor, sub-contractor, a processor or as an independent owner/operator.

“As well as assisting retiring workers, the Community Development Trust provides immediate support to forest workers, families and communities through job creation and training programs,” said Pat Bell, Minister of Forests and Range. “We are also working on improved silviculture practices, diversifying export markets and building on our wood first commitment, so British Columbia’s forest sector and workers will be well-positioned for the long term.”

The $129-million Community Development Trust was established with federal funding in May 2008 to help forest families, communities and companies with the downturn in the industry. The three programs offered through the trust include the $85.5-million Transition Assistance program, $17.25-million Tuition Assistance program and $26.25-million Job Opportunities program. In Budget 2009/10, the Province committed an additional $30 million for Job Opportunities-like programs.

In 2008, the Province was able to assist 1,700 forest workers with $65 million in funding through the Transition Assistance program.

For information on the Community Development Trust, visit www.cd.gov.bc.ca/cdt/.