The Youth Climate Corps B.C. (YCCBC) has received a $3 million boost in funding to recruit more young people to the program.
YCCBC was founded in Nelson in 2020 and provides young people, between the ages of 17 and 30, with training and work experience related to climate action, while paying them a living wage.
Wildsight BC was involved in expanding the program further into the Kootenays, including to Kimberley, Cranbrook, and Golden. They will also benefit from the provincial funding grant for program operations.
The goal of the program is to entice more young people to get involved in climate action initiatives.
Nelson’s YCCBC cohort has five members on the payroll, which earns a paid living wage for a term of about 4–6 months.
The Nelson cohort is involved in a variety of different projects.
Ben Simoni, executive director of Youth Climate Corps BC, MLA Brittny Anderson, and Minister George Heyman at Salmo Ski Hill where Nelson’s YCCBC cohort is conducting wildfire minitgation work. (Photo/ Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy)
Right now, the team is working on wildfire mitigation prescription work at Salmo Ski Hill, and they’ve previously done similar work on Anderson Creek Road, which leads to the location of 80 per cent of the city’s water supply. This work was done under the supervision of Loki Tree Services.
Additionally, teams have worked with the Regional District of Central Kootenay on community outreach, and they’ve done work on local ecosystem restoration and FireSmart initiatives in Argenta.
Ben Simoni, Executive Director of the program, said that there’s an urgent need for more people to be involved in the fight against climate change, and a unique and beneficial aspect of this program is its wages.
Simoni explained that our youth need to be valued for their work, and in a time when climate action is critical, providing pathways for young people to get involved and find potential long-term career paths is a step in the right direction.
“Volunteerism is still extremely important, but we need other opportunities for young people. We can’t just expect young people to be giving their time freely. We really need young people to feel valued and part of that is paying them a living wage. That’s the vision of Youth Climate Corps, paying people to do important climate action projects in their communities.”
Participants of the program also have opportunities to gain certifications as well, with the current program delivering a BCIT micro credential to participants when they finish their term.
“Its really a jobs program, which is not just important for the young people. BC is going to face a workforce vacancy in the next decade, so, its important for society in general. The program connects young people with their communities, connecting them with leaders, and it gives them job opportunities.”
The majority of the cohorts to date have been comprised of individuals in their early 20s who were provided with a pathway to enter the climate change and sustainability sector with ease, stated Simoni.
“We’ve also seen some folks who are a little bit older who may have been through university, had a couple of jobs, and they’ve said, look, I’ve had a really hard time breaking into the sustainability field, and this is a really good opportunity for them to do that.”
The provincial investment will help YCCBC establish more cohorts in other communities in BC and recruit more members.
More information on the program and how to get involved can be found here.
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