Up to 299 British Columbians from rural communities will receive the training they need for local jobs, thanks to the federal-provincial partnership under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement.

Today, the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Donna Barnett, B.C. Minister of State for Rural Economic Development, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, announced that more than $2 million has been allocated to nine post-secondary institutions and service providers to deliver various skills training programs to communities with populations of 25,000 or less. 

The training projects will prepare Aboriginal peoples, women, youth and other groups under-represented in B.C.’s workforce, for employment opportunities in finance, natural resources, professional driving, special education and hospitality. Training dates vary and all programs will be completed by 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:

Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour –

“This is a great example of our government’s investment in skills and training for Canadians to find, and keep, good well-paying jobs. Through Budget 2016, our government has invested an additional $50 million in the Canada Job Fund Agreements, and an additional $125 million in the Labour Market Development Agreements. I’m happy to be working with the Government of British Columbia to achieve our common goal of helping workers in the middle class, and those working hard to join it, access the training and supports they need to pursue opportunities for a better future.”

Donna Barnett, Minister of State for Rural Economic Development, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations –

“Skills training is one of the best investments our government can make to boost B.C. rural communities. I am delighted about the Employer Sponsored Training projects supported by the provincial and federal governments for B.C. communities. These projects not only give local employers the skilled workforce they need for their businesses, but they also equip B.C. residents for jobs in their home towns.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. is expecting almost one million job openings 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

A backgrounder follows.