VANCOUVER - The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, along with the Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour for British Columbia, applauded the completion of 45 targeted skills-training programs which helped more than 1,700 British Columbians gain the skills needed to qualify for jobs in their communities. The Ministers made the announcement following their first bilateral meeting today.

These project-based training programs represented an investment of more than $12 million under the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement (Employer-Sponsored Training stream). The projects, which support B.C.’s regional labour market demands across all sectors, included numerous opportunities for youth, Aboriginal people and First Nation individuals to receive training and work qualification certificates.

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 Job Fund helps ensure training programs give individuals the skills to enter and succeed in the job market. Through the Employer-Sponsored Training stream, funding supports project-based, time-limited, employer-driven training that leads to a job at the end of training. This includes targeted programs offered by post secondary institutions, industry associations and community groups that meet regional labour market needs. Employers also provide either financial or in-kind contributions to support the training.

Quick Facts:

• Service providers can apply for 2015-16 funding for the Canada Job Fund Employer-Sponsored Training stream at BC Bid: http://ow.ly/JxRSj
• The BC Labour Market Outlook (workbc.ca) indicates that by 2022 there will be 1 million job openings in British Columbia due to the growing economy and anticipated retirements. Of these openings, 44 percent will be in trades and technical occupations.
• BuildForce Canada estimates that between 2013 and 2021 British Columbia’s construction industry will need approximately 54,500 new workers.
• According to the Mining Industry Human Resources Council, the British Columbia mining industry will need to recruit over 10,000 workers by 2022.

Quotes:

The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development-

“Our Government is focused on keeping taxes low for families and investing in training to keep the economy strong. To support these priorities, we must ensure that everyone who wants to put their talent to work has the opportunity to do so. These projects helped individuals gain the skills they needed to find and maintain employment.”

The Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour for British Columbia- 

“Training programs like the ones supported through the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund are extremely important to help make sure every British Columbian can find their fit in our diverse, strong and growing economy. Ensuring the Canada Job Fund offered programs that help unemployed workers looking to upgrade their skills was a key priority when the Fund was being designed, and I’m pleased to see that priority reflected in these outcomes.”

Associated Links:

• Canada Job Fund (esdc.gc.ca)
• British Columbia’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint (workbc.ca)
• Canada Job Grant (esdc.gc.ca)
• Canada Job Grant (British Columbia) (workbc.ca)

Media Contacts:

Meagan Murdoch
Office of Minister Poilievre
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour, British Columbia
250-387-2799