Parker Street carpentry program to end after funding expires

Six people who are participating in the carpentry skill's training program at Parker Street will be the last graduates after the program's funding agreement is set to expire in July, and won't be renewed.

Rob MacNeish, who runs the course, saidhe can't understand why none of the funding is being renewed.

"I was surprised that it was just nothing," said MacNeish. "A clean shear. There wasn't anything, there wasn't any way to work together to build something else."

Funding came from the Canada Job Fund that is administered by the provincial government.But, the criteria for the program recently changed, so the skills training portion is now shared with literacy programs.

Labour Minister Kelly Regan saidthey had to make some tough choices.

"There's no concern about the program and I want to be clear about that," she said. "We have limited ability to fund these programs. We like to move them around as the result to give different skills, etcetera, a chance to be worked on."

Success story

MacNeish argues this was one of their most successful programs, one that has proven its value in the community.

The three month course spends two months teaching carpentry skills and giving participants certification on forklift operation, first aid and safety skills.

Their work is familiar. Last year, they built ramps for businesses in the community to improve accessibility.

They're currently building playhouses to be donated to shelters and a garden centre for a local charity.

"Folks are coming to us saying 'that [the]course changed my life and I wouldn't be where I am today' because of it," said MacNeish.

Since April 12012, they have received $746,274 to run the program. In that time, he saidthey've had about 70graduates who have found work in the field. One has since started their own business.

Mike Reinhardt is one month away from graduating. He used to work at Esso, but has saidsocial assistance recommended the program after his second child was born.

He saidhe's building a career.

"It's actually pretty overwhelming when... you drive by and say 'I built that. I had a hand in building that.'

Other options

Funding for the carpentry assistant programing is delivered on an annual basis.

MacNeishhas openly saidthe program is robust, butthey could have offered a variation of the course for significantly less money if the province was willing to negotiate.

"We looked at its net benefit over the years for the province of Nova Scotia," he said.

The province has said Parker Street can apply for more money for future years. In the meantime, Kelly Reganexplainsthere are other similar carpentry training programs offered by other organizations if people are looking for other options.

"We fund what we can with what we get from the federal government," she said.

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