The B.C. government has awarded the University of British Columbia (UBC) more than $27 million through the BC Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF) for 40 research infrastructure projects in areas of healthcare, astrophysics, clean technology and agriculture.

Northwest Community College (NWCC) will receive $150,000 to support training for workers affected by the partial closure and decreased production at the Huckleberry Mine. The funding is also expected to provide additional training opportunities for students in other communities in the Northwest including workers affected by the closure of the Canfisco cannery.

Capilano University will receive $50,000 to support training for workers affected by the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Mill closure near Gibsons.

Targeted funding for health-care programs is allowing Camosun College to train more health-care assistants, as well as more mental-health and addiction workers, to meet the growing health-care needs of the region.

Parents, grandparents and guardians now have a new place to save for their child’s future.

An additional 754 critical-trades seats are being added to 10 public post-secondary institutions throughout the province to boost capacity and ensure students can access training in a range of in-demand occupations in sectors that support the provincial 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.

Targeted funding of $339,000 for 176 additional trades training seats will give Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) students access to training in a variety of in-demand occupations vital to the economy of British Columbia.

An additional 148 trades training seats at Okanagan College will give students access to training in a variety of in-demand occupations that support a range of sectors that are important to the provincial economy.

Programs to train cooks, chefs and bakers are now eligible under the B.C. Access Grant for Labour Market Priorities.