Up to 24 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 $339,000 has been allocated to North Island College to deliver the coastal forest resource certificate, with wildfire crew training, to up to 24 participants. Training will provide participants with foundation in theory and practical skills training that prepares graduates for entry-level positions as compassor, timber cruiser, scaler, forestry field assistant or wildfire fighter.

Training dates vary with two intakes delivered in Port Alberni and Port Hardy between November 2016 and March 2017.

This 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:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister 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.”

John Bowman, president, North Island College –

“This funding provides students the opportunity to develop practical skills and knowledge to work in the coastal forest industry. NIC is proud to offer community-relevant skills training needed to help North Island residents transition to successful careers.” 

Tracy O’Malley, human resources manager, Strategic Natural Resource Consultants –

“We hire a large number of NIC’s Coastal Forest Resource grads. They come to us with industry-relevant training and certifications that are very applicable in the field. As the largest timber cruising team in coastal B.C., we have an ongoing need for qualified entry-level timber cruising assistants who love working outdoors. Many stay with us long-term, gaining new skills and professional designations for a successful career.”

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

North Island College: http://www.nic.bc.ca/