Up to 200 people in Greater Vancouver are receiving the training they need for jobs in their communities, thanks to the federal-provincial partnership under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement.

Approximately $770,000 has been allocated to the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association to deliver the Trained for Success program in Vancouver and North Vancouver.

Today, North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite and North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Naomi Yamamoto visited students at the Hope Action Values Ethics (HAVE) Culinary Training Society’s North Vancouver training kitchen, where they saw first-hand the training being delivered and how it is preparing students for employment opportunities.

Aboriginals, youth and persons with disabilities will receive an eight-week training program, leading to employment in the food service industry at the end of training.

Training dates vary with several intakes delivered between September 2016 and June 2017. This training 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:

Jane Thornthwaite, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour –

“This training program will help many people on the North Shore and Lower Mainland work their way toward rewarding careers in the food service industry. This training opportunity could create avenues to careers these participants might not have been able to access otherwise.”

Naomi Yamamoto, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale –

“Skills training investments such as this are critical to keeping our local economy diverse, strong and growing. This partnership with the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association opens doors for people to gain employment opportunities in the region’s growing workforce.”

Ian Tostenson, president and CEO, B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association –

“This program is an excellent investment by government. Not only do we get people working with a skill and creating living independence, but our students are helping to fill the many jobs in our industry due to a severe labour shortage.”

Amber Anderson, executive director, HAVE Culinary Training Society –

“Since 2007 HAVE has trained just over 900 students. Students who come to us have decided that they need change and HAVE helps facilitate that change. Canada-BC Job Fund skills training has helped a lot of people get their lives back, get off social assistance and contribute back to our community.”

Mario Bessette, graduate, HAVE Culinary Training Society –

“I successfully graduated from HAVE in October 2016 and am employed as a catering cook. At HAVE I learned new skills and little by little I stood taller with all of the encouragement from HAVE staff. HAVE helps many people who are destitute and has had a huge impact on my life. I am a person with multiple barriers, but now I am enrolled in Professional Cook 1, working, and my life is better than ever.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. is expecting almost one million job openings by 2025.
• Up to 596,400 job openings are expected in the Lower Mainland/Southwest region 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:

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