VICTORIA – From software systems development and auto refinishing, to underground mining, shellfish aquaculture and a host of other programs, the B.C. government is investing over $13 million in new employment skills training in regions throughout British Columbia.
As part of ‘Canada Starts Here: The B.C. Jobs Plan’, over 50 skills training programs are being delivered by 20 post-secondary institutions throughout the province under the government’s Employment Skills Access (ESA) initiative. This project is funded within government’s existing fiscal plan.
Northern Lights College, as part of a Labour Market Consortium with Northwest Community College and College of New Caledonia, received funding for two programs:
· Industry Field Medic Skills Training: This four-week program will combine Occupational First Aid level 3 with the safety certificates asked for by most employers (WHMIS, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, H2S Alive). This program will be offered at NLC’s Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson and Fort St. John campuses.
· Essential Office Skills Training: This seven-week program trains participants to be customer-service-oriented and computer-savvy, with communication, thinking and accounting skills. This program will be offered at NLC’s Chetwynd, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John campuses.
Through ESA, eligible British Columbians are provided with tuition-free, group-based training at public, post-secondary institutions to prepare them for entry or re-entry into the labour force. ESA skills training programs are primarily focused on preparing participants for entry-level employment in industries, sectors or occupations that are currently experiencing, or are projected to experience, labour or skills shortages.
Training programs are expected to be at least three weeks in duration, to a maximum of 12 months, with an emphasis on programs that provide participants with provincially or industry-recognized credentials. For occupations with established provincial standards for training and certification, training programs must follow and meet those standards.
Participants must be unemployed individuals who have not established an Employment Insurance claim in the past three years, or five years in the case of maternity/parental leave.
The Employment Skills Access Initiative is funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement (LMA).