BladeRunners Program
BladeRunners provides life skills, job readiness skills, work experience/on-the-job training, job coaching and ongoing supports to unemployed or precariously employed young adults at risk. The BladeRunners programs delivered throughout B.C. provide a variety of skills training options. For more information, please contact the service provider in your region.
History
It began in 1994 when a pilot project was started to address the needs of at-risk young adults in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside. Twenty-five young adults received job placements as labourers to support the construction of GM Place (now Rogers Arena). These participants were called the “BladeRunners.”
Eligibility
Young adults between 15 and 30 years old who face multiple barriers to employment.
Locations
Throughout B.C.
Services Provided
Employment-related training and support for young adults, such as:
- Job readiness skills
- Certification courses (e.g. WHMIS, WCB Awareness, First Aid Level 1)
- Job coaching and support seven days a week, 24 hours a day
- Workplace communication skills
- Job placement opportunities
- Life skills training
BladeRunners Program Providers
Cariboo
Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association
Training Locations:
- Prince George
Contact:
Email or 250-561-1199
Training Locations:
- Prince George
Contact:
Email or 250-596-2517
Training Locations:
- Prince George
Contact:
Email or 604-872-5651
Kootenay
Training Locations:
- Ktunaxa Nation Council
Contact:
Email or 250-489-2464
Mainland/Southwest
Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society
Training Locations:
- Vancouver
- Surrey
Contact:
Email or 604-688-9116
Intersections Media Opportunities for Youth Society (IMOYS)
Training Locations:
- Vancouver
Contact:
Email or 604-374-5164
Pacific Community Resources Society
Training Locations:
- Surrey
- Vancouver
Contact:
Email or 604-999-2301
Training Locations:
- Vancouver
- Virtual
Contact:
Email or 604-250-9342
Training Locations:
- Maple Ridge
- Surrey
Contact:
Email or 604-872-5651
Training Locations:
- Abbotsford
- Chilliwack
- Surrey
- Vancouver
Contact:
Email or 236-997-0971
Training Locations:
- Vancouver
Contact:
Email or 604-675-2535
North Coast and Nechako
Hecate Straight Employment Development Society
Training Locations:
- Prince Rupert
Contact:
Email or 778-884-2255
Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association
Training Locations:
- Burns Lake
- Fort St. James
Contact:
Email or 250-561-1199
Tribal Resources Investment Corporation
Training Locations:
- Prince Rupert
Contact:
Email or 250-624-3535
Training Locations:
- Prince Rupert
- Terrace
Contact:
Email or 604-872-5651
Northeast
Training Locations:
- Chetwynd
- Dawson Creek
- Tumbler Ridge Virtual
Contact:
Email or 250-782-6800
North East Native Advancing Society
Training Locations:
- Fort St. John
Contact:
Email or 250-785-0887
Training Locations:
- Chetwynd
- Dawson Creek
Contact:
Email or 604-872-5651
Thompson-Okanagan
Training Locations:
- Kamloops
- Oliver
Contact:
Email or 604-872-5651
Connective (formerly John Howard Society of the Thompson Region)
Training Locations:
- Kamloops
Contact:
Email or 250-434-1700
Vancouver Island/Coast
Central Vancouver Island Job Opportunities Building Society
Training Locations:
- Parksville
Contact:
Email or 250-248-3205
Coast Salish Employment and Training Society
Training Locations:
- Nanaimo
- Duncan
- Victoria
Contact:
Email or 250-746-0183
Training Locations:
- Parksville
Contact:
Email or 250-248-3205
John Howard Society of Victoria
Training Locations:
- Victoria
Contact:
Email or 250-386-3428
Laichwiltach Family Life Society
Training Locations:
- Campbell River
Contact:
Email or 250-286-3430
Training Locations:
- Powell River
Contact:
Email or 604-485-7958
Training Locations:
- Port Alberni
Contact:
Email or 250-723-1331
North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society
Training Locations:
- Campbell River
- Port Hardy
Contact:
Email or 250-286-3455
Nanaimo Youth Services Association
Training Locations:
- Nanaimo
- Courtenay
Contact:
Email or 250-754-1989