BLADERUNNERS: A PARTNERSHIP OF COMMUNITY AND YOUTH What is BladeRunners? BLADERUNNERS is an internationally recognized, award winning employment program assisting multi-barrier and disadvantaged youth in gaining on the job construction training and apprenticeships. Participants are referred by pre-employment programs, past and/or present BLADERUNNERS and community organizations. BLADERUNNERS is a non-partisan program that works in partnership with ACCESS, Employers, Trades Organizations, Unions, Community Organizations, Government and the Aboriginal Community to increase opportunities for youth in British Columbia. More information: May 12, 2003 Press Release - Partnership to Provide Job Training to at-risk youth (*.doc file) The BladeRunners program seeks to: · Provide meaningful work experiences that will result in long-term attachment to the work force. · Assist individuals from disadvantaged groups. · Build on existing success with other community based programs and establish partnerships with organizations that share similar goals and objectives. · Provide youth with the entry level skills needed for successful employment and apprenticeship in the construction industry. History of BladeRunners BladeRunners began as a pilot project in Vancouver in 1994. Program participants worked on the construction of GM Place, the Ford Theatre and the Collingwood Village project. Today, BLADERUNNERS operates in Vancouver, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo and Victoria. More than 1000 youth have participated in the program and many BLADERUNNERS have successfully completed on the job training and apprenticeships resulting in trades certification. In 1999, the program won the prestigious PEPNet Award (Promising and Effective Practices Network) from the U.S. based National Youth Coalition. The coalition presents awards each year to outstanding, innovative North American programs that promote youth employment and development opportunities. BladeRunners for Participants BladeRunners for Employers ACCESS is a cooperative venture providing innovative community based employment and training solutions. FOR MORE INFORMATION: BladeRunners ~ 56 West Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6G 1B4 Contact a BladeRunners Coordinator at (604) 688-9116 by e-mail bladerunners@buildingfuturestoday.com Or ~ ACCESS' Administrative Office is located at: Suite 108 - 100 Park Royal South West Vancouver, BC V7T 1A2 Phone: 604-913-7933 Press 0 for General Inquiries Fax: 604-913-7938