Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC) is thrilled to announce that Resolution 2454, introduced by BC Insulators Local 118 and the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators (FPSE), has been passed unanimously at the BC Federation of Labour Convention. This significant resolution highlights the importance of immediate government investment in a large-scale Youth Climate Corps creating pathways to careers in unionized, low-carbon sector jobs.
The resolution carried unanimously on the convention floor, represents a major milestone for YCCBC. It calls on the provincial and federal governments to invest in an expanded Youth Climate Corps, which provides paid employment and training for young adults to engage in climate adaptation and mitigation projects within their communities.
“The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges of our time. And the only way we’re going to meet it is by pulling together around solutions that put working people front and centre,” said BCFED President Sussanne Skidmore. “We’re proud to see this collaboration between unions and community organizations. By giving young people great opportunities to work in green union jobs, an expanded Youth Climate Corps BC can make our communities more resilient in the face of climate change — and help build a skilled workforce in the low-carbon sector.”
Resolution 2454 Highlights:
Recognizes the Youth Climate Corps as a vital employment program that connects young people with unionized careers in climate action.
Emphasizes the urgent need to combat climate change impacts such as wildfires, floods, and extreme heat that threaten communities, workers, and infrastructure.
Addresses the labour shortages in low-carbon sectors by recruiting and training the next generation of unionized workers and leaders.
Commits the Federation to lobbying both the provincial and federal governments for investments in an expanded Youth Climate Corps.
“This is a huge win for YCCBC, the labour movement, and the fight against climate change,” said Ben Simoni, YCCBC's Executive Director. “Resolution 2454 not only affirms the importance of our work but also sends a clear message about the urgent need to grow YCCBC significantly to address climate change while providing a pathway to unionized jobs and careers for young people in BC.”
YCCBC would like to thank BC Insulators Local 118, FPSE, and the BC Federation of Labour for their unwavering support. The passage of this resolution is a testament to the shared commitment to creating a sustainable, climate-resilient future.
“Local 118 Heat & Frost Insulators recently signed a contract with Youth Climate Corps BC to provide a twenty-hour education program with resourced youth to enter the construction industry. Through technical training and on-the-job, work experience we are excited about the program in the hopes of providing young workers with a rewarding career with strong wages & benefits.” Rob Sheck from BC Insulators – Business Manager, Local 118.
As YCCBC celebrates this achievement, the organization is focused on leveraging this momentum to advance its expansion proposal and bring the transformative power of the Youth Climate Corps to more communities across the province.
You can show your support for YCCBC by signing on to YCCBC’s petition in support of a Youth Climate Corps in BC here.
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