Up to 132 Vancouver Island residents will be receiving the training they need for jobs in their communities, thanks to the federal-provincial partnership under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement.

More than $722,000 has been allocated to Camosun College to deliver the following two programs:

• Up to 72 participants will receive enhanced security guard training in Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox Valley and Port Alberni. Funding of $307,111 has been allocated to provide training that prepares students for employment in the security sector. Training is delivered in collaboration with Vancouver Island University and North Island College and is taking place in several intakes between November 2016 and May 2017.
• Up to 60 youth and Aboriginal participants will receive training in the Multi-Industry Skills Training (MIST) program in Victoria. Funding of $415,412 has been allocated to provide employer-supported training that leads to entry-level positions in a range of key B.C. industry sectors, focusing on the construction and marine sectors but also relevant for other sectors, such as roadbuilding, LNG and pipeline. Training is provided in several intakes between October 2016 and April 2017. 

These training projects are 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:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour – 

“We are expecting nearly one million job openings in British Columbia by 2025 as a result retirements and economic growth. We want British Columbians to have the skills and training they need to be first in line for the jobs of today and in the future. The programs supported by the Canada-B.C. Job Fund will provide training for in demand jobs in regions right across the province.”

Geoff Wilmshurst, vice-president, partnerships, Camosun College –

“Camosun College is proud to partner with Vancouver Island University and North Island College to deliver the Enhanced Security Guard (ESG) program across Vancouver Island. This collaboration among our institutions ensures that individuals in both urban and smaller communities have the opportunity to obtain training and employment in a field where there is a demonstrated labour market shortage.”

Eric Sehn, dean, School of Trades and Technology, Camosun College –

“Providing people with programming that helps them to develop entry-level skills is highly valuable when they are either first entering the workforce or a seeking a new career path. The Enhanced Security Guard and Multi-Industry Skills Training (MIST) programs are effective ways to support people as they create new opportunities for themselves through training. For some individuals, past education may not have been a fully positive experience and it is wonderful to see how project-based training programs can change that and open up new opportunities for participants.”

Ian Anderson, president, Kinder Morgan Canada –

“The Trans Mountain Expansion Project is pleased to work with Camosun College as part of our commitment to maximizing employment opportunities for Aboriginals. This initiative provides training for Aboriginal community members from Vancouver Island and will help prepare them with the skills and knowledge needed to capitalize on the jobs the new pipeline and its associated facilities will create.”

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.

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