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Launching new training projects for people facing barriers to employment

Press Release

April 2, 2026

VICTORIA –

Summary

  • The Province, in partnership with the Government of Canada, is providing more than $6 million for 15 labour market training projects throughout British Columbia, including nearly $5 million for 14 new projects and more than $1.4 million to expand one existing project
  • Projects increase opportunities for people facing barriers to employment, including Indigenous people, youth, immigrants, people receiving income assistance and those with complex needs
  • The training projects support the Look West Strategy, helping as many as 329 participants access better jobs and connect with opportunities in growing sectors, such as construction, social services, trades, education support, health administration, transportation and facility maintenance

More people are training for in-demand jobs through new labour market training projects launched in British Columbia.

The Province, in partnership with the Government of Canada, is providing more than $6 million to support 15 training projects delivered by community organizations and employers throughout the province.

“We want people to have the support they need to find in-demand jobs and build stronger futures for themselves and their families,” said Sheila Malcolmson, B.C. Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “So we are funding more training to help people gain the practical skills and work experience they need to move toward good-paying jobs, while supporting local communities.”

Expanding training opportunities in B.C.

Community and Employer Partnership (CEP) projects provide employment and skills training that helps people prepare for sustainable careers, while meeting local labour market needs. Programs are delivered in collaboration with community organizations, employers and industry partners to ensure training aligns with job opportunities.

Participants receive a combination of classroom training, hands-on work experience and followup support to build their confidence, improve their employment skills and prepare for jobs in sectors such as construction, social services, trades, education support, health administration, transportation and facility maintenance.

“This training is an important step in helping me build a meaningful career in my new community,” said Cesar Avila, a medical administrative assistant training participant, Latincouver Cultural and Business Society, Vancouver. “The program is giving me the practical skills I need to combine my past professional experience with the requirements of the Canadian workplace. It’s an opportunity that strengthens my confidence, supports my family’s stability and helps me move toward a future where I can contribute in a meaningful way.”

Helping people build skills for in-demand jobs

  • As many as 329 participants, including youth, Indigenous people, immigrants, displaced forestry workers, survivors of violence and people on income assistance, will receive a mix of classroom training, work experience and followup support to help them develop in-demand job skills.
  • Eligible organizations include non-profit organizations, Indigenous organizations, municipalities, educational institutions and businesses that can apply for funding through the CEP program.
  • Since 2012, the CEP program has helped more than 8,130 people in British Columbia gain employment experience through more than 726 projects.

The projects support the Province’s broader efforts to strengthen B.C.’s workforce and help more people participate in the economy, complementing the goals of the Look West Strategy. The program is funded by the Government of Canada through Employment Insurance contributions made by workers and employers under the Canada–British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.

Quotes:

Patty Hajdu, federal Minister of Jobs and Families –

“Canada’s workforce is strongest when employers and training partners work together. As external pressures continue to affect key sectors, these investments will help empower workers in Canada with the skills they need to adapt. Together, these initiatives will help drive major economic priorities and deliver tangible results for workers in British Columbia.”

Ravi Kahlon, B.C. Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth –

“Look West is grounded in the principle that a stronger B.C. economy has to work for everyone. These 15 training projects put that into practice. By investing in skills for construction, trades, health and social services, matched to what employers actually need, we’re helping people across the province connect to good-paying jobs and building stronger local economies in the process.”

Michelle Williams, social and community service worker training participant, AWARE Society –

“This opportunity feels like a turning point as I transition careers after a long period of unemployment. This program is opening doors to new employment in social and community services, allowing me to support both myself and others. Although returning to school after 20 years and learning new tools has been challenging, my confidence is growing, and I believe I can succeed with time and effort.”

Learn More:

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Media Relations
778-584-0705

BACKGROUNDER

What to know about the 15 new training projects for people facing barriers to employment

The Province, in partnership with the Government of Canada, is providing more than $6 million for 15 labour market training projects in British Columbia.

New projects:

Multi-industry trades exploration and employment program – Victoria and Esquimalt

With more than $371,000, Camosun College is delivering a 16-week trades exploration program for youth, Indigenous participants and people facing multiple barriers to employment. Two cohorts of 10 to 17 participants will complete 11 weeks of essential employability and occupational skills training, four weeks of on-the-job experience and one week of followup support. Participants explore careers in trades such as carpentry, automotive, electrical, pipe trades and sheet metal fabrication, earning certifications including occupational first aid, workplace hazardous materials information system, fall protection, confined space entry and other workplace-individualized certificate training, such as forklift, fire watch or flagging/traffic control.

For more information, visit: https://camosun.ca/

Plumbing level 1 – Squamish to Abbotsford

Supported with more than $359,000, the 20-week plumbing level 1 program delivered by Squamish Nation for Indigenous participants prioritizes people receiving income assistance. Sixteen participants receive five weeks of employability skills training, 11 weeks of occupational skills training and two weeks of on-the-job experience with local employers, along with followup support. The program provides culturally supportive, wraparound training to help participants enter the plumbing trade and address the growing demand for skilled tradespeople in the region.

For more information, visit: https://www.squamishnationttc.ca/

Education assistant program – Terrace Area

The 48-week program delivered by the Indigenous Community for Leadership and Development and supported with more than $518,000 is preparing eight to 12 participants receiving income assistance for careers as education assistants in the Terrace and Nisga’a region. Participants complete employability, essential skills and occupational training, followed by six weeks of work experience with local employers and two weeks of followup and job-search support. The program helps address shortages of education assistants while supporting Indigenous job seekers to access stable employment.

For more information, visit: https://icldgroup.com/

Medical administrative assistant training for immigrants – Vancouver

With more than $200,000, the program in Vancouver by Latincouver Cultural and Business Society prepares 15 to 18 immigrant participants receiving income assistance for work as medical administrative assistants. Participants receive five weeks of essential and employability skills training and 12 weeks of occupational training, three weeks of on-the-job experience with local employers and followup job-search support. The program helps participants gain practical skills, connect with employment opportunities and move toward financial independence.

For more information, visit: https://www.latincouver.ca/medical-admin-assistant-program/

Together We Build – First Nations in northwestern B.C., Terrace

Two cohorts of eight to 10 Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants in northern B.C. receive trades-related training and work experience through Kulspai Learning Village Society. Supported with more than $472,000, the program includes occupational training, individualized work placements and followup support. In more than 12 weeks, participants gain exposure to construction and community-based trades, such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, drywall installation, heavy-equipment operation and professional cook training.

For more information, visit: https://opening-doors.k5t.ca/

Job creation partnership – Vancouver

With more than $72,000, Vancouver-based Pride in Art Society job creation partnership provides three participants with as many as 35 weeks of hands-on experience in arts administration. Participants build transferable skills in event planning, community outreach, volunteer co-ordination and financial administration, while supporting programming at SUM Gallery and the 2026 Queer Arts Festival, helping strengthen employability in the arts and non-profit sectors.

For more information, visit: https://queerartsfestival.com/who-we-are/

YMCA BC trade works – Kamloops, Clearwater

YMCA Kamloops and Clearwater are supporting four cohorts of 10 to 14 Indigenous, immigrant and youth participants with more than $955,000. Each cohort receives 13 weeks of essential employability and occupational skills training, followed by two weeks of work experience with local employers and one week of job-search support. Participants gain practical skills to pursue entry-level construction roles, such as construction labourer or construction craft worker.

For more information, visit: https://www.kamloopsy.org/

Facility maintenance – Dawson Creek

With more than $464,000, Northern Lights College program is preparing 10 to 12 participants receiving income assistance for careers in facility maintenance. Participants complete three weeks of essential and employability skills training, four weeks of safety, equipment operator and HAZMAT training, and 16 weeks of facility maintenance training and work experience with local employers. Followup support helps participants transition into employment, maintaining commercial and institutional facilities.

For more information, visit: https://nlcbc.prevueaps.ca/jobs/30188.html

Skilling up, building up – Vancouver

Eastside Movement for Business and Economic Renewal Society is training three cohorts of 12 to 15 youth and immigrant participants facing multiple barriers to be ready for construction jobs. With more than $292,000, the program participants complete 11 weeks of group-based full-time essential skills training, occupational and employability skills training, on-the-job experience with local employers and followup support. Graduates are prepared for entry-level roles, such as carpenter helper, traffic-control person and other construction occupations.

For more information, visit: https://www.emberscanada.org/embers-training

Communities in transition – Fort St. James and Vanderhoof

With more than $42,000, the Progressive Employment Services Limited labour market partnership project supports communities affected by forestry mill closures in Fort St. James and Vanderhoof. The project is delivering employer-engagement activities and career fairs to connect displaced forestry workers with training providers, employers and employment supports, improving access to labour market information and opportunities for sustainable employment.

For more information, visit: https://www.workbccentre-vanderhoof.ca/

DRIVE programs – Quesnel, Vanderhoof

The College of New Caledonia’s two training programs prepare community members affected by tariffs for employment as transport truck drivers, bus drivers and transit operators. Two group-based full-time cohorts with eight participants each complete one-week of essential and employability skills training, and 16 weeks of occupational skills training, short-term certifications and ICBC testing. With funding of more than $341,000 for Quesnel and Vanderhoof, the program helps participants transition into transportation careers.

For more information, visit: https://cnc.bc.ca/campuses/quesnel

Electrify your future – Burnaby and surrounding areas

With more than $354,000, the Self Rise Training Society program prepares participants receiving income assistance for entry-level electrical and construction careers. One intake of 12 to 15 participants is completing three weeks of essential and employability skills training, 25 weeks of occupational electrical training and two weeks of lab-based work experience, followed by one week of job-search support. Graduates are prepared for roles such as electrical helper, apprentice, wiring assistant and construction labourer.

For more information, visit: https://selfrise.ca/blog/

Social and community service worker – New Westminster, Surrey and Burnaby

AWARE Society is training two cohorts of eight to 15 participants facing multiple barriers, including Indigenous participants, immigrants, youth and survivors of violence to become social and community service workers. Supported with funding of more than $523,000, the program delivers 24 weeks of group-based full-time occupational training, essential and employability skills training, four weeks of work experience with local employers and two weeks of followup support. Graduates are prepared for roles as community support workers in the social services sector.

For more information, visit: https://www.awaresociety.bc.ca/employment-services/current-programs/

Existing project:

The Purpose Project – Abbotsford

Additional funding of more than $1.4 million supports an expanded intake of the Kinghaven Peardonville House Society program serving survivors of violence and abuse. Forty to 60 participants will gain the skills and support needed to start careers in B.C.’s in-demand construction sector. The program includes 12 weeks of occupational and employability skills training, as many as 10 weeks of trauma-informed counselling, four weeks of work experience with local employers and a week of followup support. The program prepares participants for construction labourer roles while helping them move toward stable employment and independence.

For more information, visit: https://kinghaven.ca/

Contact:
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Media Relations
778-584-0705

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