Up to 96 Vancouver Island residents will receive the training they need for jobs in their communities, thanks to the federal/provincial partnership under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement.

Approximately $350,000 has been allocated to Vancouver Island University (VIU) to deliver the Building Service Worker program.

The training project will provide participants with theoretical and practical custodian training, including certificates in OFA, Foodsafe and WHMIS, along with classes in Essential Skills, Transition to the Workplace, Respectful Workplace training and a practicum work placement. This training leads to an industry-standard certificate for employment in the building service industry.

The program is delivered in collaboration with VIU, Camosun College and North Island College.

Training dates vary with several intakes delivered between September 2016 and June 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, persons with disabilities, 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:

Michelle Stilwell, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum –

“This amazing program ensures people from various backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue rewarding careers in Vancouver Island communities. Skills training investments such as this are essential to keeping our Island economy diverse, strong and growing.”

Susan Allen, manager, Professional Development and Training, Vancouver Island University – “We are grateful to the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training for providing funding so people can access this type of training. The Building Service Worker program changes lives as it provides hands-on training for jobs that exist in our communities. Students come out with the ability to apply for, and start working in, entry-level jobs that are hiring right now. Those entry-level jobs then often lead to other opportunities.”

Sarah Fowler, participant, completed the Building Service Worker program in 2016 –

“I really valued the Building Service Worker program as it gave me confidence, strengthened my self-esteem and made me realize anything is possible. It has also opened up job opportunities for me.”

Jerry Clancy, participant, completed the Building Service Worker program in 2016 –

“I wasn’t sure after being out of the workforce for so many years how much I could handle. This course helped me overcome what may have been an unpleasant experience, while teaching me the skills to excel at a career I’m interested in pursuing.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. is expecting almost one million job openings by 2025.
• Up to 147,900 job openings are expected in the Vancouver Island/Coast 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 

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

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