Surrey, BC – On September 9th, Pacific Community Resources (PCRS) will sponsor a Surrey Board of Trade lunch featuring a keynote address from Adrian Dix, leader of the BC NDP and a presentation of the Surrey Youth employer of the year award to Surrey resident, Barry Joneson of Pacific Labour and Demolition.

This year Barry Joneson, his company and PCRS staff worked on a pilot project, Creating a Sustainable Tomorrow (CAST).  CAST provided 20 at-risk youth with 11 weeks of life and employability skills with a focus on workplace health and safety and environmental awareness.  Two of the 11 weeks were hands-on experience for the youth where they were involved in the actual deconstruction of two houses.  93% of materials that came from the deconstructed houses were able to be recycled or salvaged, materials that otherwise would have gone into landfills.

 Metro Vancouver has set a 70% waste diversion target by 2015. These pilots showed the public, Metro staff and politicians that identifying deconstruction as one part of strategy to meet that target is realistic.

 “One of the key components of the project is its emphasis on exploring the concepts of environmental responsibility and stewardship within the changing nature of the construction/deconstruction/renovation sectors. Our goal is that the project’s ‘green’ focus will provide a unique foundation for learning life and employability skills, while also providing a new perspective for youth to view the otherwise traditional demolition industry”  said Ian Mass, Executive Director of Pacific Community Resources Society

 The aim is to integrate the youth back into the labour market or help them return to school. “I came to this program with next to nothing,” said Kaggen Leakey, a student in the program. “The certificates that I got and all the skills I’ve learned and the people I’ve met, everything in this program I can use.”

 Guests at the event will also hear a keynote from Adrian Dix, Leader of the BC NDP.  He will be discussing the importance of economic development through youth skills training. 

 The event will take place It will take place on September 9th, 2011 at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, 15269 104 Ave.  Lunch and registration will be from 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  The program will follow immediately and run until 1:30 p.m.