Seven new training projects funded for people with barriers to employment

Press Release

Oct. 3, 2025

VICTORIA – With new funding, more people experiencing barriers to employment, such as Indigenous people, people on income assistance and those with complex needs, are training for in-demand jobs.

The Province, in partnership with the Government of Canada, is providing more than $3 million under the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement to support seven training programs. These programs will prepare people for in-demand jobs, such as construction workers, education assistants and hospitality workers, as well as heavy-equipment operators in forestry, civil infrastructure and excavation.

“We want people to have the support they need, especially amid the increased cost of living and uncertainty from American tariffs,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “So we are funding more training for the skills people need to take on good-paying jobs that help local communities.”

Labour-market training projects, funded through the Community and Employer Partnerships program, deliver employment and skills training to help people on their path to careers, while involving local communities, employers and industry representatives. The projects provide a combination of classroom training, work experience and followup support to help participants improve their employment skills and prepare them for in-demand jobs throughout B.C.

“I’m excited for this program, because it is opening a door to for me, providing training, certifications and experience,” said Alberto, a participant in MOSAIC’s building-service worker training. “Most jobs today require these things and they’ve been a barrier for me to enter the workforce. I’m hoping this training program will help me launch my career.”

Note: The participant’s name is not being disclosed because their situation is sensitive. MOSAIC’s training is for Spanish-speaking immigrants who are receiving income assistance.

This program is funded by the Government of Canada through Employment Insurance contributions from workers and employers via the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.

Quotes:

Patty Hajdu, federal Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario –

”Every Canadian deserves the opportunity to succeed. At a time when many are navigating uncertainty in their careers and communities, the Government of Canada is making important investments through Labour Market Development Agreements. By supporting targeted training programs, we are helping gain the skills they need for in-demand jobs – empowering individuals, strengthening communities and building a more-inclusive economy.”

Jessie Sunner, B.C.’s Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills –

“By investing in training and education, we are helping people access better jobs to build a stronger, future-ready workforce that drives economic growth. There will be over one million job openings in B.C. over the next 10 years. I encourage eligible organizations to apply so we can support as many people as possible in entering the in-demand sectors our province needs.”

Quick Facts:

Project-based labour-market training is part of the Community and Employer Partnerships program and funds organizations that provide a combination of training, on-the-job work experience and followup support to eligible individuals to improve their employment skills.
Eligible organizations, such as non-profits, Crown corporations, municipalities, Indigenous groups, public-health and educational institutions, and businesses, can apply for funding through the Community and Employer Partnerships program to support training and work experience for B.C. job seekers.
Since 2012, the Community and Employer Partnerships program has helped more than 7,200 people in British Columbia gain employment experience through more than 680 projects throughout the province.

Learn More:

To learn more about WorkBC Employment services available, visit:
https://www.workbc.ca/discover-employment-services

To apply for funding through the Community and Employer Partnerships program to support training and work experience for B.C. job seekers, visit:
https://www.workbc.ca/discover-employment-services/community-and-employer-partnerships/project-based-labour-market

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

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

BACKGROUNDER

The Province, in partnership with the Government of Canada, is providing more than $3 million to support seven training programs for people facing barriers to employment:

Agricultural training program (Cowichan region)
Cowichan Green Community Society is providing a 38-week training program in Cowichan region on Vancouver Island supported by $148,000. As many as eight Indigenous participants will receive 22 weeks of classroom and field-based agricultural training, 14 weeks of hands-on farm experience and two weeks of job-search support. Graduates will earn certifications in first aid, Food Safe, pruning and beekeeping from Vancouver Island University. Training began June 30, 2025.
For more information, visit: https://cowichangreencommunity.org/homepage/

Community support worker certificate training program (Prince George, Langley, Kamloops)
With more than $475,000 in funding, the Canadian Vocational Training Centre is providing as many as 30 Indigenous participants with 33 weeks of skills training and on-the-job work experience to prepare them for employment as community support workers. The first cohorts began training July 28, 2025, in Prince George and Langley, and Aug. 4, 2025, in Kamloops.
For more information, visit: https://vocationaltrainingcentre.com/

Construction workers custom project (Surrey)
Indigenous Community for Leadership and Development Inc. is training two intakes of eight to 12 Indigenous participants to be ready for jobs as construction workers on the Lower Mainland. With more than $725,000, the program includes 15 weeks of training, three weeks of hands-on work experience and two weeks of followup support. The first cohort began Sept. 22, 2025, and the second cohort will begin Oct. 14, 2025.
For more information, visit: https://icldgroup.com/

Building-service worker training program (Vancouver)
With more than $213,000 in funding, MOSAIC in Vancouver is providing building-service worker training to 24 Spanish-speaking immigrants who are receiving income assistance. This program prepares participants for jobs such as janitors, caretakers and heavy-duty cleaners. They receive seven weeks of training in essential employability, language and occupational skills, three weeks of on-the-job work experience with local employers and two weeks of job-search support. The first cohort started Sept. 22 and will finish Dec. 12, 2025. The second cohort will begin Jan. 5, 2026, and finish March 27, 2026.
For more information, visit:
https://mosaicbc.org/our-programs/bsw/#:~:text=The%20Building%20Service%20Worker%20Training,%2C%20language%2C%20and%20occupational%20skills.

Education assistants training (Vernon, Penticton, Kelowna)
Okanagan College is supporting as many as 25 Indigenous people and people with complex barriers to employment in Vernon, Penticton and Kelowna with more than $483,000. The 27-week program provides occupational skills training, employment readiness and hands-on experience to prepare them for roles as education assistants. Training began Sept. 8, 2025.
For more information, visit: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/

Hospitality and culinary essentials program (Kelowna, Penticton, North Okanagan/Shuswap)
With more than $592,000, Okanagan College is helping people who are receiving income assistance to prepare for careers in hospitality and culinary arts. Each of three intakes will support eight to 15 participants. Every 21-week intake includes 13 weeks of occupational and employability skills training and five weeks of on-the-job work experience with local employers, as well as two weeks of job search and followup support. Participants will receive the knife sets, uniforms and shoes required for this occupation. Training in Kelowna, Penticton and elsewhere in the North Okanagan/Shuswap region will begin Oct. 20, 2025.
For more information, visit: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/

Heavy-equipment operator training program (Coal Harbour)
With more than $497,000 in funding, the Quatsino First Nation Economic Development Corporation is training as many as to 15 Indigenous participants in Coal Harbour on Vancouver Island for employment as heavy-equipment operators in forestry, road construction, civil infrastructure and excavation. The training includes two weeks of on-the-job work experience with local employers, followed by a minimum of one week of followup job-search support. The program started July 2, 2025, and will be completed by Oct. 17, 2025.
For more information, visit: https://quatsinofn.com/departments/economic-development/

Contact:

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

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