Summary

• Nearly $300,000 is being invested in cook training for youth facing barriers to employment in the Lower Mainland
• Participants will receive employability skills training, occupational training and on-the-job work experience
• Three cohorts will run between May 2026 and April 2027 through Dan’s Legacy Foundation

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People facing multiple barriers to employment will receive hands-on training, work experience and wraparound supports through a new cook-training program at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House in Vancouver.

The project is delivered by Dan’s Legacy Foundation to help participants prepare for careers in the food-service sector. It is supported by investments provided by the Government of Canada through the employment insurance-funded Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.

“We want people to have the support they need to find in-demand jobs and build stronger futures for themselves,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “That’s why we are funding more training to help people gain the practical skills and work experience they need to move into employment in the food-service sector.”

In partnership with the Government of Canada, funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement, the Province is investing nearly $300,000 through the Project-Based Labour Market Training initiative to support the cook-training project in Vancouver and Dan’s Diner Social Enterprise in New Westminster.

“Every young person deserves a fair chance to build skills, gain experience and find a path to a good career,” said Taleeb Noormohamed, parliamentary secretary to the federal minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation. “Through programs like the one at Dan’s Legacy Foundation, young people are getting hands-on training for the food-service sector and the support they need to take the next step with confidence. When young people succeed, their communities are stronger for it and so is our economy.”

Dan’s Legacy Foundation works with at-risk youth and young adults through trauma-informed counselling, wraparound supports and employment-focused programming. The cook-training project builds on the organization’s experience helping young people overcome barriers to education, employment and recovery.

“The cook-training program turned my life around,” said Isabel Atherton, a recent graduate of the program from Vancouver. “The instructors encouraged me through every setback, celebrated every success and believed in me long before I believed in myself. I graduated and started my own baking business and am enrolling in culinary arts at LaSalle College in Vancouver.”

Building skills for in-demand jobs

Participants will take part in a full-time, group-based program that combines employability preparation, occupational skills development and workplace experience.

The training includes:

• two weeks of essential and employability skills training
• 12 weeks of occupational skills training focused on prep cook and kitchen helper positions
• two weeks of on-the-job work experience
• nearly a week of followup employment support

Three cohorts will be delivered during the project term:

• Cohort 1: May 18, 2026, to Sept. 11, 2026
• Cohort 2: Aug. 24, 2026, to Dec. 18, 2026
• Cohort 3: Dec. 7, 2026, to Apr. 9, 2027

Supporting pathways to employment

Dan’s Legacy Foundation works with youth facing barriers, such as mental-health challenges, substance-use issues, violence, poverty and social isolation. Through its employment and culinary training programs, participants gain practical skills, workplace experience and support to pursue education and employment goals.

The cook-training project will help participants gain industry experience, build confidence and strengthen connections with employers in the food-service sector.

By combining essential skills training with practical workplace training, participants will develop the skills needed to pursue employment opportunities and increase their long-term attachment to the labour market.

The next two cohorts will begin on Aug. 24, 2026, and Dec. 7, 2026.

Quotes:

Barbara Coates, executive director, Dan’s Legacy Foundation –

“We work with some of the most vulnerable and marginalized young people who have significant barriers to employment, including childhood trauma, mental-health challenges, unstable housing and social isolation. Our cook-training program combines practical culinary training with the counselling and wraparound support participants need to build confidence, gain workplace experience and move toward meaningful employment.”

Amshen-Joan Phillip, parliamentary secretary for community development and non-profits –

“Young people thrive when they have access to caring support, mentorship and career opportunities in their community. Dan’s Legacy Foundation has given many at-risk youths the hope and support they need to build life skills, confidence and networks that can open doors to meaningful employment. This investment is about helping people see what’s possible for their future and ensuring they have the tools and support needed to achieve their goals.”

Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver-Renfrew –

“Collingwood Neighbourhood House has long been a place where people from diverse backgrounds living in the Renfrew-Collingwood area of East Vancouver come together to learn, connect and support one another. As the local MLA, I’m proud to see it being part of our government’s support for young people seeking to gain job-ready skills and confidence in securing employment that will lead to greater independence and a better future for themselves.”  

Jennifer Whiteside, MLA for New Westminster-Coquitlam –

“Dan’s Legacy Foundation is making a real difference in New Westminster through Dan's Diner, which gives young people living in the Lower Mainland the opportunity to develop practical skills, gain workplace experience and build meaningful connections for careers in the food-services industry. This nearly $300,000 government investment builds on that important work, helping participants of Dan’s Legacy job-training initiatives build self-esteem and maintain positive mental health through learning and belonging.”

Learn More:

• For more information about the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/training-agreements/lmda.html
• To learn more about WorkBC’s Project-Based Labour Market Training, visit: https://www.workbc.ca/employers-industry/funding-programs/community-and-employer-partnerships/project-based-labour-market
• To see a news release about new training projects for people facing barriers to employment, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026SDPR0010-000362

A backgrounder follows.