Up to 240 British Columbians on the Lower Mainland 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.

More than $570,000 has been allocated to the B.C Alliance for Manufacturing to deliver two programs: Communication in the Workplace, and Industrial Sewing Technical Skills Foundation. 

The training projects will prepare participants for jobs in B.C.’s manufacturing sector, providing them with common core competencies such as industrial sewing foundation skills, as well as communications skills that will allow participants to advance or be promoted within the manufacturing sector. Training began in October and will continue until April 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:

Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North –

“The training provided by the B.C. Alliance for Manufacturing are great examples of targeted training that meets local labour market needs, while providing British Columbians with jobs in their local communities.”

Greg Hoing, executive director, B.C. Alliance for Manufacturing –

“B.C.’s premium and performance apparel sector employs many sewers to support design development and to manufacture products. The industry needs to hire at least 1,200 new sewers over the next several years in order to remain competitive. The funding for the industrial sewing program supports the growth of a dynamic apparel cluster in our province.”

Tony Tam, people and culture business partner, Arc’teryx Equipment –

“B.C. Alliance training programs provide our company access to skilled workers. This enables our company to pipeline new talent, keep our commitment to manufacture in Canada and allow manufacturing jobs to remain in British Columbia.”

Olga Stevens, chief financial officer, White House Design Inc. –

“The B.C. Alliance training program provides our company an opportunity to stay true to our value to proudly design and manufacture every single garment in Canada. We applaud the provincial government for recognizing the overwhelming demand for skilled workers and quick implementation of potential solutions.”

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