The government is investing more than $95,000 to help 12 people who are facing barriers receive micro-credentialling in the construction field.
WorkingNB is supporting the initiative of the Saint John Tool Library which is called Hammers 2 Homes. The program will be delivered in partnership with NBCC Saint John campus.
"I am excited with the potential for Hammers 2 Homes to open doors to some of our residents and get more people into our building sector," said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Alyson Townsend. "Innovative initiatives like this one will not only help people learn valuable skills in the trades, but give them an opportunity to work full time."
Micro-credentialling is a condensed series of courses that focus on skills needed for particular jobs.
The six-week program will have participants develop safety and practical skills in the classroom before going to work on an actual job site where affordable housing units are under construction. This will support the creation of affordable housing units while providing the construction industry with new workers who will continue building new homes.
Participants will be identified in partnership with the John Howard Society of New Brunswick, Fundy Region and the Coverdale Centre for Women.
"We are so pleased WorkingNB is supporting this initiative," said Brent Harris, executive director of the Saint John Tool Library. "With their support, we will be able to start to address the labour gap in the construction field and address the housing crisis by building and renovating homes to ensure homes are affordable to average people."
"Every New Brunswicker deserves a safe, affordable place to call home," said David Hickey, minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation. "Programs like this one will help us get closer to our goal and create the conditions to help make New Brunswick the most competitive housing development market in Atlantic Canada."
Participants will be in training 30 hours per week and will be paid during their training.
