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Canada-B.C. partnership to train British Columbians for jobs in rural communities

Vancouver – 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.

The federal and B.C. governments announced today 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 federal government 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.