Media Release

Canada-B.C. partnership to train British Columbians for jobs on Lower Mainland

Up to 80 Lower Mainland residents are receiving the training they need for jobs in their communities, thanks to the federal-provincial partnership under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement.

Approximately $583,000 has been allocated to Vancouver Community College (VCC) to deliver the following three programs:

• Up to 32 female, youth and immigrant students will be trained in the Entry to Hospitality Careers for Women program. Funding of $202,783 has been allocated to train participants for employment as food-counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations. Training began in October and ends in April.
• The Office Assistant Training program is preparing up to 32 students for employment as administrative assistants, medical administrative assistants or administrative officers. Funding of $292,635 has been allocated for training that began in October and ends March 31.
• Up to 16 students will participate in the Building Service Worker training program. Funding of $87,888 will be allocated to prepare participants for employment as janitors, caretakers, building superintendents, and as light-duty cleaners. The program is designed for youth and immigrants. Training begins in March and ends in June.

These training projects are part of an investment of more than $12 million for 49 training projects benefiting about 2,000 British Columbians throughout the province, thanks to funding provided through the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement under the Employer-Sponsored Training stream.

The skills training projects support B.C.’s regional labour-market demands and provide opportunities to youth, women, Aboriginal people, immigrants and other eligible participants to receive training, as well as industry-recognized certificates or credentials.

Through the Canada Job Fund, the Government of Canada provides $500 million annually to the provinces and territories for investments in skills training. Under the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement, the province receives a total of $65 million per year – its per-capita share of the available funding.

The Canada-B.C. Job Fund helps ensure training programs give individuals the skills to enter and succeed in the job market. The Employer-Sponsored Training stream provides funding for project-based, time-limited, employer-driven training that leads to a job at the end of training. This includes targeted projects delivered by Aboriginal service providers, post-secondary institutions, industry associations, community groups, and private trainers that meet regional labour market needs. Employers also provide either financial or in-kind contributions to support the training.

Quotes:

Sam Sullivan, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek –

“More people are retiring from the workforce than young people entering it, so we must continue to support programs such as these to ensure we have qualified women and men, including new Canadians, who are able to step into the job market.”

Peter Nunoda, president and CEO, Vancouver Community College –

“VCC is proud to be a part of the solution by offering students skills training in these high-demand fields. Thank you for the generous funding from both the federal and provincial governments under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement. These VCC programs have 100% retention and 97 to 100% employment rates. We attribute this success to VCC’s supportive instructors and small classes.”

S. Khan, graduate, Office Administration program, VCC –

“I found that the Office Admin program prepared me with all the necessary tools, computer skills and knowledge for me to be a confident office assistant in the present labour market. Thank you for all the positive support during my time here at VCC.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. is expecting almost one million job openings by 2025.
• Up to 596,400 job openings are expected in the Lower Mainland/Southwest region by 2025.
• Two-thirds of B.C.’s job openings will be from retirements and one-third from economic growth.
• Almost 80% of job openings in B.C. will require post-secondary education.
• The B.C. government invests more than $7.8 billion each year in education and training.
• Through B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, $3 billion in training investments will be redirected to in-demand jobs over the next 10 years.
• The project announced today supports the government’s commitment to deepen B.C.’s technology talent pool through a variety of actions, including improving access to timely and relevant labour market information, as outlined in the #BCTECH Strategy.
• The 10-year strategy includes a $100-million BC Tech Fund to improve access to capital, as well as initiatives to increase talent development and market growth for tech companies to drive innovation and productivity throughout the province.

Learn More:

Canada Job Fund: http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/training_agreements/cjf/index.shtml   

British Columbia’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/skills 

B.C. Labour Market Outlook 2025: https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx

#BCTECH Strategy: http://bctechstrategy.gov.bc.ca/