Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
The Province is supporting newcomers to Victoria who are looking for work by providing $210,992 toward English language training at Camosun College for high-demand jobs.
The Province is partnering with Camosun College to provide training for recent immigrants to help them overcome language barriers faced when seeking employment in the construction, engineering and health sectors, as well as other career and professional occupations. Better language skills will improve their employability and mean more opportunities for career advancement in their chosen sector.
The training will prepare participants for employment in an industry, sector or occupation that is currently experiencing, or is expected to experience, a labour or skills shortage over the next 12 months.
Overall funding of $2.6 million is being provided provincewide to help approximately 1,200 newcomers to B.C. get language training for the job market. This language training is occupation and workplace specific and geared towards newcomers with professional-level skills to help them transition to high-demand jobs.
Funding for the Project Based Language Training is provided by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training through a partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (formerly Citizenship and Immigration Canada).
Quotes:
Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond –
“We want to give new British Columbians the support they need as they settle into their new home and find employment to support their families. The best thing we can do is make sure they have the skills they need to take advantage of the tremendous job market here in British Columbia and this funding will help make that happen.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the BC Jobs Plan Greg Kyllo –
“Our BC Jobs Plan continues to create jobs in every region of the province. Since last year more than 10,000 jobs were created right in Victoria. If you’re new to B.C., we want to ensure you can take advantage of those opportunities, which is exactly what these programs are for.”
President of Camosun College Sherri Bell –
“Camosun College is extremely pleased to receive this important funding to provide essential English language training to those new to Canada.”
“Camosun plays a large role in this community in providing adult basic education programming and training to immigrants and refugees through our English language acquisition as well as our many academic, career focused and continuing education programs.”
“These students come to our programs with previous education and work experience from their home countries.”
“Camosun will provide them with improved communication skills, skills to plan their occupational goals, a better understanding of Canadian business culture and the B.C. labour market.”
Quick Facts:
- B.C. is on the verge of a demographic tipping point. For the first time, there will be fewer young people entering the workforce than older people leaving it.
- About one-third of immigrants say they are employed at a lower level than they were in their country of origin.
- The Project Based Language Training program is aimed at helping newcomers with professional-level skills overcome language barriers so they can get employed in high-demand jobs.
Learn More:
Information on Project Based Language Training classes and eligibility: www.welcomebc.ca/Communities-and-Service-Providers/Service-Providers/funded-services/labour-market-participation/Project-Based-Language-Training.aspx
Information, tools and resources for newcomers: www.welcomebc.ca/home.aspx
Employment and labour market information: www.workbc.ca/
