Up to 44 British Columbians in the Campbell River and Duncan areas 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 $452,000 in total has been allocated to Excel Career College and Opportunities Career Services Society to deliver two training programs in Campbell River and surrounding areas.   

Approximately $332,000 has been allocated to Excel Career College to deliver the Aquaculture Technician program to 24 Duncan and Campbell River participants for jobs in the aquaculture industry. To deliver the training, the college has partnered with K’omoks First Nation and local employers including Greig Seafoods, Cermaq Canada and Marine Harvest. This program has two training intakes; both intakes are currently underway and will be completed in June 2017.

In addition, approximately $119,000 has been allocated to Opportunities Career Services Society (OCSS) to deliver the Community Support Worker Certification Project to up to 20 participants from the Campbell River area, for jobs as community support workers as well as other similar occupations. To deliver this project, OCSS has partnered with the Campbell River and District Association for Community Living. There are two intakes for this project; the first intake is currently underway and will be completed in January, while the second intake will start in March and finish in June 2017.

These training projects are 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:

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 due to retirements and economic growth, and we want British Columbians have the skills and training they need to be first in line for these future openings. These training programs through the Canada-B.C. Job Fund will help local residents pursue rewarding careers in their home communities.”

Pauline Stevenson, president, Excel Career College –

“Excel Career College has seen first-hand the excellent results of delivering project-based training in collaboration with the employers and the ministry, in a location that supports the future employees. The college is very grateful to have been able to connect new employees to a new and exciting career and support the ongoing growth of the aquaculture industry.”

Rene Quintin, executive director, Opportunities Career Services Society –

“The encouraging aspect of this project is that the employment prospects are excellent; we anticipate that many of the participants will receive employment offers at the conclusion of the training session.”

Michelle Welsh, student in Community Support Worker Certification Project –

“This is a great course for anyone interested in this field. I have definitely come away from the course feeling well prepared for work.”

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