Up to 16 British Columbians in Houston are receiving the training they need for jobs in their community, thanks to a federal-provincial partnership under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement.

More than $199,000 has been allocated to Northwest Community College (NWCC) to deliver the Special Education Assistant program to Aboriginal and female participants.

The training program is preparing participants for jobs as special education assistants, who will help students with special needs integrate and pursue their education in regular school classrooms. The program includes classroom learning and practicums, and is expected to finish in June 2017.

This program is part of an investment of more than $12 million for 49 training projects benefiting approximately 2,000 British Columbians throughout the province, thanks to funding provided through the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement under the Employer-Sponsored Training stream.

The skills training projects support B.C.’s regional labour-market demands and provide opportunities to youth, women, Aboriginal people, immigrants and other eligible participants to receive training, as well as industry-recognized certificates or credentials.

Through the Canada Job Fund, the Government of Canada provides $500 million annually to the provinces and territories for investments in skills training. Under the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement, the province receives a total of $65 million per year, its per-capita share of the available funding.

The Canada-B.C. Job Fund helps ensure training programs give individuals the skills to enter and succeed in the job market. The Employer-Sponsored Training stream provides funding for project-based, time-limited, employer-driven training that leads to a job at the end of training. This includes targeted projects delivered by Aboriginal service providers, post-secondary institutions, industry associations, community groups, and private trainers that meet regional labour market needs. Employers also provide either financial or in-kind contributions to support the training.

Quotes:

John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes –

“I’m excited about the Special Education Assistant program that is being delivered by Northwest Community College. Not only will this program help Aboriginal people and women pursue rewarding careers in education in our community, it will also benefit our students with special needs as they get the support they need to succeed in the classroom. I wish all the participants best of luck in completing their training and future careers.”

Ken Burt, president and CEO, Northwest Community College –

"Northwest Community College is happy to provide this critical training for the Special Education Assistant program. This training helps build capacity in Houston and will have a positive effect on students with special needs in classrooms."

Quick Facts:

• B.C. is expecting almost one million job openings by 2025.
• According to the B.C. 2025 Labour Market Outlook, up to 54,600 job openings are expected in the North Coast and Nechako, Northeast and Cariboo regions by 2025.
• Two-thirds of B.C.’s job openings will be from retirements and one-third from economic growth.
• Almost 80% of job openings in B.C. will require post-secondary education.
• The B.C. government invests more than $7.8 billion each year in education and training.
• Through B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, $3 billion in training investments will be redirected to in-demand jobs over the next 10 years.

Learn More:

Northwest Community College’s Special Education Assistant Program: https://www.nwcc.bc.ca/program/special-education-assistant-program

Canada Job Fund: http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/training_agreements/cjf/index.shtml   

British Columbia’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint:  https://www.workbc.ca/skills 

B.C. Labour Market Outlook 2025: https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx