Almost $36 million is being given province-wide through a partnership by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, the Ministry of Advanced Education and the Industry Training Authority. The Employment Services and Supports (ESS) contracts will help more than 5,500 British Columbians get the skills they need to join the workforce. These programs are delivered by a range of service providers funded by the Canada Job Fund under the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement.

For more information about the programs below, please contact the service providers directly.

Cariboo region:

• College of New Caledonia: Construction Industry Skills in Prince George (program ended March 31, 2016)
• College of New Caledonia: Reintegration Industry Readiness Training in Prince George
• College of New Caledonia: Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) in Prince George
• University of Northern British Columbia: Tsilhqot’in Language Certificate program Level 1 in Williams Lake
• University of Northern British Columbia: Carrier Language Certificate program Level 1 in Quesnel
• Thompson Rivers University: Alexis Creek First Nation University Prep and Educational Assistant and Community Support Certificate Program for Alexis Creek First Nation
• Thompson Rivers University: Journey Home – The final leg of the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council (NSTC) Language Journey in the Cariboo Chilcotin
• The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc.: Cariboo Aboriginal Business and Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Program (ABEST)
• Quesnel Employment Services: Work Ready! For Youth in Quesnel program in Quesnel, Wells, Nazko Community
• Employment Action: Prince George Essential Skills and Job Readiness Training Program in Prince George
• YMCA of Northern BC: Youth Works Prince George program in Prince George
• Bowman Employment Services Inc.: Get Youth Working for Youth in the Cariboo Region, including 100 Mile House, Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Lac La Hache, Merritt, Prince George, Quesnel, Valemount, Wells, and Williams Lake.
• British Columbia Construction Association: Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) in Prince George with service to all surrounding communities
• Community Futures Development Corporation of Fraser Fort George: the Cariboo Business Entrepreneur Skills Training (C-BEST) for communities in the Cariboo region

Kootenay:

• British Columbia Construction Association: Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP ) – Kootenay program in Nelson with service to all surrounding communities.\Bowman Employment Services Inc.: Get Youth Working for Youth in Kootenay region including Balfour, Canyon, Castlegar, Christina Lake, Cranbrook, Creston, Erickson, Fernie, Golden, Grand Forks, Invermere, Jaffray, Kaslo, Kimberly, New Denver, Nelson, Parson, Radium Hot Springs, Sirdar, Slocan, Trail, Winlaw
• Kootenay Career Development Society: Retail trades, Accommodation and Food Service Training (RAFT) for the West Kootenay, including Castlegar, Nelson, Slocan, Salmo, Trail and Kaslo
• Ktunaxa Nation Council: Transforming to Sustainable Employment for Ktunaxa Nation Band communities including St.  Marys, Tobacco Plains, Lower Kootenay, and Akisqnuk
• Kootenay Employment Services Society: Job Readiness Training for Unemployed Workers in the Creston Valley
• Kootenay Employment Services Society: Ready, Set, LEAP! Creston Valley Local Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program

Mainland/Southwest:

• Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society: Metal Fabrication and Marine Fitter Foundation for Aboriginal people in Metro Vancouver
• Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society: Welding Foundation Program and Canadian Welding Bureau Certification in FCAW for urban Aboriginal people in Metro Vancouver
• BC Restaurant and Food Services Association: Trained for Success in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland-- Vancouver, Oppenhiemer/Strathcona (program ended March 31, 2016)
• BC Construction Association: Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) –Mainland southwest in Vancouver and Abbotsford with service to all surrounding communities
• Com-Tech Learning Solutions Inc.: Work Place-Based Training: Key to Employment Program for First Nations in Mainland Southwest Region (program ended March 31, 2016)
• DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society: DIVERSEcity Employment Program-Immigrant Youth in Surrey and surrounding area
• Douglas College: Class One Essential Skills Drivers Training in Surrey (program ended March 31, 2016)
• Douglas College: Career and Vocational Exploration Youth Program in Burnaby
• Douglas College: Food Counter Attendant Essential Skills, Industry and Job Readiness in Maple Ridge and Tri-Cities (program ended March 31, 2016)
• Free Rein Associates Training Ltd.: Hope Community Employment Program in Hope/Fraser Canyon
• Immigrant Services Society of BC: Skills and Supports for Job Success in Coquitlam
• Immigrant Services Society of BC: Skills and Supports for Job Success in Vancouver
• Immigrant Services Society of BC: Skills and Supports for Job Success in Surrey
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University: Skills and Trades Training for aboriginal students offered at the Squamish Nation Trades Centre in North Vancouver *integrated service with the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program in 2015-16
• Mission Community Skills Centre Society: Training for Succe$$ in Mission
• North Shore Multicultural Society: Immigrant Youth Retail Employment Program in the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, Lions Bay, Bowen Island, Burnaby and Vancouver
• Open Door Social Services Society (Open Door Group): Jobs in Demand: Integrated Skills Training for Youth with Disabilities in Vancouver
• Open Door Social Services Society (Open Door Group): Jobs in Demand: Integrated Skills Training for Youth with Disabilities on the Sunshine Coast
• Pacific Community Resources Society: Surrey Job Readiness Program in Surrey
• Piping Industry Apprenticeship Board operating as UA Piping Industry College of BC: Skilled Trades Training-  Northeast program in Delta and surrounding communities of the Pacific Northeast
• Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society: PICS Entrepreneurship Program in White Rock
• Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society: Workplace Integration for Mature Immigrants (45 years and older) in Metro-Vancouver
• Progressive Intercultural Community Services: Workplace Integration for Mature Individuals in White Rock (program ended March 31, 2016)
• Sources Community Resources Society: Empowered for Employment: Job Readiness Training for Women Survivors of Violence in the South Fraser program in Surrey (program ended March 31, 2016)
• S.U.C.C.E.S.S.: Employment Connect Job Readiness Program -Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, Surrey, Burnaby and Vancouver
• S.U.C.C.E.S.S.: Youth Business Innovative Idea Start-ups (Youth-BIIS) Program in Metro Vancouver Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey and Vancouver
• S.U.C.C.E.S.S.: Youth Employment Connect (YEC) –Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Surrey, Burnaby and Vancouver.
• Thompson Rivers University: Thompson Rivers University/Seabird Island Band/Seabird College Integrated Welder Foundations Program in the Sea Island Band community *integrated service with the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program in 2015-16
• Thompson Rivers University: Construction Craft Worker  Level 1 in the Seabird Island Band community *integrated service with the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program in 2015-16
• Training Innovations Inc.: Workplace Essential Skills Training in Tourism & Hospitality in Squamish (program ended March 31, 2016)
• Triangle Community Resources Inc.: Job Readiness RITE Training in Maple Ridge
• Triangle Community Resources Inc.: Job Readiness  RITE Training in Abbotsford
• Triangle Community Resources Inc.: Job Readiness RITE Training in Chilliwack & Langley
• Tradeworks Training Society: Women in the Trades: Carpentry & Trades Training in Vancouver
• Vancouver Community College: Sto:lo Aboriginal Skills Employment Training Pre-Trades Culinary Arts Program in the Sto:lo Nation community *integrated service with the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program in 2015-16
• Vancouver Community College: Introduction to Culinary Skills –Greater Vancouver/Lower Mainland
• YMCA of Greater Vancouver: YMCA Youth Works Chilliwack
• YMCA of Greater Vancouver: YMCA Experience Works Vancouver
• YMCA of Greater Vancouver: YMCA Youth Breakthrough to Employment and Training Vancouver
• YWCA Metro Vancouver: Strive Job Readiness in Vancouver and North Vancouver
• YWCA Metro Vancouver: Skills Max for Youth in Vancouver

North Coast and Nechako:

• BC Construction Association: Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) - North Coast Nechako in Terrace and Prince Rupert with service to all surrounding communities
• Bowman Employment Services Inc.: Get Youth Working in for Youth in the North Coast and Nechako region, including: Bella Bella, Fort St. James, Hazelton, Houston, Hagensborg, McBride, Old Massett, Moricetown, New Hazelton, Port Clements, Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte City, Skidegate, Haida Gwaii, South Hazelton, Smithers, Terrace, Valemont and Vanderhoof
• Carrier Sekani Family Services: Burns Lake Bridging to Employment in Village of Burns Lake , Lake Babine Nation, Burns Lake Band (also Wet’suwet’en, Nee Tahi Buhn, Skin Tyee, and Cheslatta)
• College of New Caledonia: Lakes-Nechako Professional Driver Partnerships Program in Burns Lake, Fort St. James, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Tl’azt’en Nation (program ended March 31, 2016)
• College of New Caledonia: CNC Aboriginals in Trades Training (AITT) Access and Support Program in Burns Lake and Vanderhoof (program ended March 31, 2016)
• Northwest Community College: Construction Trades Worker/Helper, and  Construction Craft Worker in Terrace Campus (Kitsumkalum and Kitselas), Masset (Old Massett and Skidegate), Hazelton (Gitxan Nation communities of Kispiox, Glen Vowell, Gitanmaax, Gitsegukala, Gitwangak, Gitanyow and the Wet’suwet’en community of Hagwilget), and Smithers (Moricetown)
• Northwest Community College: Gitxsan And Haida Building a Community Workforce, Intro to Trades and Trades Training Program in Hazelton , Gitsegukla, Gitwangak, Massett and Skidegate
• Piping Industry Apprenticeship Board operating as UA Piping Industry College of BC: Skilled Trades Training -  North Coast and Nechako in Terrace, Kitimat and surrounding communities
• The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc.: North Coast - Nechako Region Aboriginal Business and Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Program (ABEST) in Haida Gwaii, including: Massett, Skidegate, Queen Charlotte City and Prince Rupert
• Terrace & District Community Services Society: Terrace - Post-Secondary Readiness & Employment Program (T-PREP) in Terrace
• University of Victoria: Haida Owned & Operated Program: Sustainable Forestry Businesses *integrated service with the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program in 2015-16

Northeast:

• BC Construction Association: Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) – Northeast in Fort St. John with service to all surrounding communities
• Bowman Employment Services Inc.: Get Youth Working for Youth in the Northeast Region including: Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Fort Nelson and Mackenzie
• Dawson Creek Literacy Society: Tailored Workplace Essential Skills for Learners with Barriers to the Workplace in Dawson Creek, including: Pouce Coupe, Farmington, Arras, Groundbirch, Sunset Prairie, Rolla and Toms Lake
• North East Aboriginal Business Centre: Northeast BC Aboriginal Entrepreneurial Skills Development and Coaching Program in Fort St John, Dawson Creek and Treaty 8 Nations in the Northeast region of BC, including:
  • Doig River First Nation
  • Fort Nelson First Nation
  • Blueberry River First Nation
  • Halfway River First Nation
  • West Moberly First Nation
  • Saulteau First Nation
  • Prophet River First Nation
• Obair Economic Society: Job Readiness Training for Unemployed Workers in Northeast B.C., including Chetwynd/ Tumbler Ridge/ Hudson’s Hope, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John
• Piping Industry Apprenticeship Board operating as UA Piping Industry College of BC: Skilled Trades Training –  Northeast in Fort St. John  and surrounding communities

Thompson Okanagan:

• BC Construction Association: Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) - Thompson Okanagan in Kelowna, Penticton and Kamloops with service to all surrounding communities
• Bowman Employment Services Inc.: Get Youth Working for Youth in the Thompson-Okanagan Region including: Armstrong, Chase, Clearwater, Coldstream, Enderby, Kamloops, Kelowna, Lake Country, Lillooet, Lytton, Malakwa, Merritt, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, Oyama, Peachland, Penticton, Princeton, Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Savona, Seymour Arm, Sicamous, Sorrento, Summerland, Vernon and West Kelowna
• Kelowna Community Resources Society: Essential Skills Training in the 21st Century for Job Seekers in the Central Okanagan in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland and Lake Country
• Kelowna Community Resources Society: Job Readiness in the 21st Century: Skills Initiative for Specialized Populations - Persons with Disabilities, Immigrants, and Older Workers - in the Central Okanagan
• NexusBC Community Resource Centre Society: Job Readiness and Essential Skills Training, North Okanagan in Vernon, Coldstream, Armstrong, Enderby, Lumby and Cherryville
• Okanagan College: Stepping Forward to Employment/Education Program for Okanagan Indian Band community *integrated service with the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program in 2015-16
• Okanagan College: Construction Craft Worker Aboriginal Bridging Program in Kelowna for the Westbank First Nation community *integrated service with the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program in 2015-16
• Okanagan College: Women in Trades Training program-Okanagan
• Open Door Social Services Society (Open Door Group): Jobs in Demand: Integrated Skills Training for Youth with Disabilities in Kamloops
• Princeton & District Community Skills Centre: The Matrix –Youth Employment Program in Princeton
• Thompson Rivers University: Business, Entrepreneurial and Succession Skills Training for Youth in Kamloops (BEST)  
• Thompson Rivers University: Class 1 Driver Training with Pipe Hauling and Air Brakes in the Thompson-Okanagan including: Kamloops and surrounding areas (program ended March 31, 2016)
• Thompson Rivers University: Women in Trades Training Program-Kamloops
• University of Victoria: Lake Division – Empowering Aboriginal Generation of Leaders & Entrepreneurs (LD-EAGLE) and Lake Division Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurs (LD-ACE) Program for the Lake Division Bands  including: Neskonlith, Adams Lake, Little Shuswap Lake and Splatsin Indian Bands *integrated service with the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships program in 2015-16
• YMCA of Okanagan: YMCA Youth Works in Central Okanagan, Kelowna and serving outlying communities of Peachland, West Kelowna and Lake Country

Vancouver Island/Coast:

• BC Construction Association: Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) - Vancouver Island including Victoria and Nanaimo with service to all surrounding communities
• Beacon Community Services: S.T.A.R.T.E – Skills Training and Readiness To Employment for Youth, Adults,  and Persons with Disabilities in Greater Victoria Capital Region District
• Bowman Employment Services Inc.: Get Youth Working for Youth in the Vancouver Island/Coast Region including Alert Bay, Brentwood Bay, Buckley Bay, Campbell River, Chemainus, Cobble Hill, Comox, Cowichan Bay, Cumberland, Duncan, Galiano Island, Gibsons, Gillies Bay, Hornby Island, Kingcome Inlet, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Mesachie Lake, Nanaimo, Nanoose, Parksville, Port Alberni, Port Edward, Powell River, Qualicum, Roberts Creek, Saanich, Salt Spring Island, Sechelt, Sidney, Sooke, Tofino, Ucluelet and Victoria
• Bridges for Women Society: Bridges Career Mentoring Program in Greater Victoria area, Victoria, Saanich, Sidney, Central Saanich, Langford, and the Western Communities
• Camosun College: Women in Trades Training Initiative in Victoria
• Camosun College: Aboriginal Trades Training Initiative in Victoria, Bella Coola (Nuxalt), Beecher Bay, Malahat, Songhees, Esquimalt (ATTI)
• Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society: The Central Vancouver Island Community Career Planning and Job Readiness Program in Nanaimo, Ladysmith and Nanaimo Regional District including Parksville, Qualicum, Gabriola Island, Errington, Coombs
• ETHOS Career Management Group Ltd.: Business Works for Youth (BWY) in Greater Victoria Region, Cowichan Valley Region, Nanaimo and surrounding area
• ETHOS Career Management Group Ltd.: Cowichan Aboriginal Work Connections (AWC) in Cowichan Valley Area: including Duncan, Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, Cobble Hill, Cowichan Bay, Chemainus, Saltair, Ladysmith, Cedar, Honeymoon Bay, and Thetis Island, as well as 18 native reserves located in the area
• North Island College: Prep Cook Certificate Program (North Island Region) in Campbell River and Port Alberni
• Port Alberni Friendship Center: Pathway to Success: Aboriginal Youth Employment  Support Services (Pathway to SAYESS) in Port Alberni (program ended March 31, 2016)
• The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Inc.: Vancouver Island/Coast Region Aboriginal Business and Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Program (ABEST) in:
• Campbell River and surrounding community (Nanwakolas First Nation, Mamalilikulla-Qwe'Qwa'Sot'Em Band, Tlowitsis Nation, Wei Wai Kum-Campbell River Indian Band, Kwiakah First Nation )
• Port Hardy/Port McNeill and surrounding community (Nanwakolas First Nation, Da'naxda'xw First Nation, Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nation, Kwakiutl Band Council, Namgis First Nation, Quatsino First Nation, Tlatlasikwala First Nation, Homalco First Nation)
• Comox and surrounding community (Nanwakolas First Nation, with K'òmoks First Nation, Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations, Mt. Currie and surrounding community (Lil’Wat First Nation)
• \Port Alberni and surrounding community (Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation)
• Powell River and surrounding community (Sliammon First Nation)
• Greater Victoria and surrounding community (Songhees Nation with Esquimalt Nation, Skwin’ang’eth Se’las Development Company)
• WCG International Consultants Ltd.: Service-Ability Training Program in Victoria, and Service-Ability Training Program in Courtney
• WorkLink Employment Society: ‘FrameWork’, A Job Readiness Program for Greater Victoria
• Vancouver Island University: Building Service Worker program in the Greater Victoria region, Cowichan, Powell River and Nanaimo (program ended March 31, 2016)
• Vancouver Island University: Class One Drivers Training in Nanaimo (program ended March 31, 2016)
• Vancouver Island University: Fast Track to Trades for Aboriginals, Women, and Youth at Risk in Powell River, serving Tla’amin (Sliammon) and Klahoose First Nations.

Multiple regions:

• Nicola Valley Institute of Technology: Bridging to Trades mobile training services for Aboriginal Peoples--two mobile training trailers serving Aboriginal Community Partners across B.C.