Public post-secondary education institutions in the Cariboo and Northern British Columbia are preparing students for in-demand careers in a wide variety of sectors that support a growing and prosperous British Columbia economy.

The electrical and power engineering programs at the College of New Caledonia (CNC) will receive a funding boost of $151,600 from the provincial government to support in-demand occupations that support the provincial economy.

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is receiving $103,400 toward the purchase of simulation mannequins that will give health-care students, including nurses, the hands-on experience they need to be prepared for the workplace.

Co-op students at the University of Northern British Columbia will benefit from $75,000 in one-time funding, part of a $1.3-million announcement to 16 public post-secondary institutions following the launch of Co-op Week celebrations.

Aboriginal learners in British Columbia's northern communities are developing their job skills in a wide variety of fields - including construction and mining - with support from community-based education and training partnership programs.