Up to 12 eligible British Columbians will get skills training to prepare them for jobs as computer network technicians in the Lower Mainland.

“There continues to be a great demand for computer network technicians in British Columbia,” said Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “This project is a great opportunity for new Canadians, immigrants and young people to get the training they need to secure exciting, good-paying jobs in the tech sector.”

Through this new Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) project, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is providing almost $240,000 to Latincouver Cultural and Business Society to deliver essential and occupational skills training in its Intercultural Certified IT Technician project.

Participants will receive four weeks of essential and employability skills training, 11 weeks of certified information technology (IT) technician training, four weeks of supervised work experience with local IT employers and one week of job search instruction and support.

“These types of partnerships are win/win, because they bring cultural diversity to workplaces and fill a need for skilled tech workers in the industry,” said Andrew Mercier, Parliamentary Secretary for Skills Training and MLA for Langley. “The participants get in-demand tech skills that make them immediately employable and a foundation in both IT and work search skills that can expand their options for further education and greater career advancement.”

Participants will also receive a minimum of four industry certifications, including Microsoft 365 certified: modern desktop administrator associate, CompTIA A+ technician, CompTIA network+ technician and Cisco-certified technician routing and switching.

“The new reality has opened room for diverse opportunities, particularly in the IT area,” said Paola Murillo, executive director, Latincouver Cultural and Business Society. “Education is the best way to empower people, so we are proud to present this initiative that will help participants grow professionally through our IT certification program that includes both theoretical and practical modules.”

Funding for this project is provided through the Project Based Labour Market Training stream of WorkBC’s CEP. CEP’s investments are targeted towards projects that support an inclusive economic recovery.

“We’re seeing increased demand for digital skills as the world becomes more dependent on technology,” said Brenda Bailey, Parliamentary Secretary for Technology and Innovation. “Not only does this project provide valuable skills training, it is also an inclusive way to provide under-represented groups with terrific employment opportunities.”

CEP supports B.C. job seekers’ training and work experience leading to employment in available jobs and aids businesses and communities to address labour-market challenges. CEP invests $15 million annually in communities throughout B.C.

Full-time, group-based classroom learning for this project starts on Monday, April 19, 2021. Project activities run through to Sept. 3, 2021.

Anyone interested in finding out about upcoming CEP projects can contact their local WorkBC centre.

Learn More:

Learn how CEPs are helping local communities:
www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/Community-and-Employer-Partnerships.aspx

Learn about how WorkBC can help find British Columbians jobs that are right for them: www.workbc.ca/rightforyou

Find your local WorkBC centre:
https://www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/WorkBC-Centres/WorkBC-Centres-Listing.aspx

Latincouver: https://www.latincouver.ca/