Up to 45 Lower Mainland residents 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 $96,000 has been allocated to the Construction Industry Training Network to deliver a program supporting B.C.-based training of new ironworkers.

The program is designed to train new entrants for employment in the ironworker industry sub-sector on the Lower Mainland. Training for various four-week intakes began in November and ends in February, with assessments and hiring taking place by Feb. 28, 2017.

This training project is part of an investment of more than $12 million for 49 training projects benefiting about 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:

Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North –

“We are expecting nearly one million job openings in British Columbia in the next 10 years due to retirements and economic growth, and it is important that British Columbians have the skills and training they need for these future openings. Investments in construction skills training such as this are critical to keeping our local economy diverse, strong and growing.”

Kerry Vital, co-ordinator, Construction Industry Training Network –

“The program is giving those who want to work in the construction field the opportunity to take the introductory training at no cost to them and leads directly to a job. This is a great example of government, industry and contractors working together to strengthen the labour market and help get people working. Any time training is connected to a direct job is a good equation for the industry.”

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.
• The project announced today supports the government’s commitment to deepen B.C.’s technology talent pool through a variety of actions, including improving access to timely and relevant labour market information, as outlined in the #BCTECH Strategy.
• The 10-year strategy includes a $100-million BC Tech Fund to improve access to capital, as well as initiatives to increase talent development and market growth for tech companies to drive innovation and productivity throughout the province.

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

#BCTECH Strategy: http://bctechstrategy.gov.bc.ca/