Black community organizations celebrate youth job training initiatives

A pair of Black-led Metro Vancouver community organizations celebrated the launch of two youth empowerment programs at a Surrey community centre Saturday afternoon.

The Yoruba Social and Cultural Association of B.C. and the Metro Vancouver Black Business EXPO collaborated to launch two free initiatives for young people this year.

The B.C. Youth Micro-Experience Employment Program is an internship program for people ages 16 to 35 who are looking to gain work experience and build their resumes.

Participants are paired with employers who agree to provide mentorship and on-the-job training for at least 40 and no more than 50 hours between June 1 and Aug. 31.

The program covers wages for the participants, so there is no cost to employers.

The Vocational Skills Summer Workshop is a less time-intensive initiative intended to provide a similar kind of benefit.

Saturday was the first of two such workshops at Surrey’s Fleetwood Community Centre, with participants receiving guided training in hair styling (weaving and braiding), barbing, photography and sewing.

A second workshop will be held at the community centre next Saturday, June 28.