B.C. businesses have an important financial tool to help them connect employees with training that can help boost productivity and the bottom line: the Canada - British Columbia Job Grant.

Launched last fall, the Canada - B.C. Job Grant provides two-thirds the cost of training a new or existing employee - up to a maximum government contribution of $10,000 per employee. The employer is required to contribute one-third of the training costs. Requiring employers to pitch in helps ensure the training leads to guaranteed jobs.

The Canada - B.C. Job Grant is a flexible program that will help ensure British Columbians can find their fit in our growing and strong economy.

• Employers determine what kind of training is needed.
• Employers can choose qualified third-party providers to deliver it.
• All private-sector and not-for-profit organizations, with plans to train workers for a new or better job in B.C., are eligible to apply.
• If an organization has more than one worker to train, employers can apply for multiple grants on one application.

The grant is part of the $65-million Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement provided by government of Canada. Since launching in October 2014, hundreds of B.C. businesses have applied for the grant from throughout the province, representing a vast array of sectors including health care, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting.

For the latest updates, factsheets and instructions on how to apply, go to: www.workbc.ca/canadabcjobgrant

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

“We want employers to be partners as we train the workforce we need for today and the future. The Canada - B.C. Job Grant allows businesses of all sizes to access government training contributions of up to $10,000 per employee. The grant complements the work we are doing with our Skills for Jobs Blueprint. With our province facing one million job openings by 2022, we need young people and their parents to consider careers in construction, resource and technical sectors and these grants will support those choices.”

Jason Kenney, Federal Minister of Employment and Social Development

"Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. The Canada Job Grant is part of our commitment to address the paradox of too many Canadians without jobs in an economy of too many jobs without Canadians. The Canada Job Grant will help Canadians get the right skills for available jobs and will lead to a guaranteed job at the end of the training. This is good news for Canadians, employers across Canada and our economy.”

Quick Facts:

• By 2022, B.C. is expecting one million job openings created by retirements and the province’s growing economy.
• More than 78% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, and 44% will need skilled trades and technical workers. 

Learn More:

Canada - British Columbia Job Grant: http://www.workbc.ca/canadabcjobgrant

Canada - B.C. Job Grant Delivery Partners: http://ow.ly/IvF6N

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

BC Jobs Plan: engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/  

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training
and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799