Up to 202 Vancouver residents are currently receiving the training they need for jobs in their communities, thanks to support from the federal and provincial governments.

The governments have allocated more than $1 million in total to the North Shore Multicultural Society, YWCA Metro Vancouver, and the YMCA of Greater Vancouver to deliver four training programs at no cost to eligible participants:

• $145,800 for the Immigrant Youth Retail Employment Program at the North Shore Multicultural Society. The program provides job-readiness training to immigrant youth hoping to work in the retail sector.
• $300,400 for the Strive Job Readiness Program at the YWCA Metro Vancouver. The program provides job-readiness training for youth transitioning out of care.
• $280,000 for the YMCA Breakthrough to Employment and Training Program at the YMCA of Greater Vancouver. The program provides job-readiness and skills training for youth with mental-health challenges.
• $280,100 for the YMCA Experience Works Program at the YMCA of Greater Vancouver. The program provides job-readiness training for older workers.

All of the programs are currently underway. Today, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale Naomi Yamamoto, on behalf of Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, visited students and instructors in the Immigrant Youth Retail Employment Program. The government representatives heard how the training will help participants pursue retail jobs in the future.

These programs are funded through the Province’s Employment Services and Supports (ESS) program under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund. ESS funds a wide range of training, from job readiness and essential skills to entrepreneurial and trades training for unemployed or employed low-skilled, non-EI eligible individuals, including youth, women, Aboriginal people, immigrants and those under-represented in the trades. The objective of the ESS program is to prepare British Columbians for entry to, or return to sustainable employment.

In 2016-17, a total of $43.4 million was provided to the Province for all ESS programs. These include the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships programs and other training programs delivered in partnership with the Industry Training Authority.

Quotes:

Naomi Yamamoto, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale –

“I am excited about the skills training projects currently underway for job seekers on the North Shore. The training delivered by the North Shore Multicultural Society, YWCA Metro Vancouver and the YMCA of Greater Vancouver, with funding from the provincial and federal governments, will help our youth, immigrants and older workers gain the skills they need to launch their careers. Thank you to our training providers and local employers for supporting our students, and I wish all the participants success in completing their training and future careers.” 

Meike Schieb, Retail Connections program co-ordinator, North Shore Multicultural Society –

“For immigrant newcomers, it can be very difficult to feel connected and to get connected here in Canada, and therefore we try to build a community within the Retail Connections program, but also teach our participants soft skills in order to improve their level of confidence. The job-readiness tools we introduce to our participants will then help them to succeed in taking the first step in building up their career here in Canada.

“We see customer service jobs as a great first step in Canada, however, we also want to create opportunities that are career-focused, not just something immediate and short-term.”

Gar, student in Immigrant Youth Retail Employment Program –

“I learned everything about how to write my resume and cover letter and interviews. This program is helpful for anybody who wants to start work. The team is very fantastic. The presenters are very friendly and helped us a lot.”

Carolyn Neilson, vice president of Employment Services, YWCA Metro Vancouver –

“YWCA is pleased to partner with the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and the Ministry of Children and Family Development to provide much-needed services for youth transitioning out of care. We are grateful to our generous donors and our delivery partners in the community, working together collectively to provide job-readiness and life-skills training to support this challenging transition."

Quick Facts:

• The Canada-B.C. Job Fund supports training programs that provide individuals the skills to enter and succeed in the job market. The funding is being made available through the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement.
• 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.

Learn More:

North Shore Multicultural Society: http://nsms.ca/

BC Jobs Plan: http://bcjobsplan.gov.bc.ca/

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 Shore Multicultural Society: http://nsms.ca/