Approximately 1,200 newcomers to B.C. will get language training for the job market, thanks to a $2.6 million investment for high-demand jobs.

The Province is partnering with community organizations, professional associations and post-secondary institutions to provide training for recent immigrants to help them overcome language barriers faced when seeking employment. 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.

Examples of this type of training include:

• English for Health Professionals
• Professional Communication for Internationally Educated Nurses
• Retail Sales Associate Language Training Program
• Language Training for Fire Protection Technicians

This language training is occupation and workplace specific and geared toward 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).

Quote:

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

“Having language skills is essential to participation in the job market. We want to ensure that new British Columbians have every opportunity possible they need to be successful in our province. These funds will provide recent immigrants with the support they need to improve their language skills.”

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 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/

A backgrounder listing funding amounts and communities can be viewed here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BACKGROUNDER.pdf