December 9, 2011
Over $2.5 Million For Skills Training in Northern BC
PRINCE GEORGE – As part of the “Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan” the provincial government is investing over $2.5 million for 10 new skills training programs in Northern B.C. The programs are part of the Employment Skills Access Initiative (ESA).
Why this matters:
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 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.
Quotes:
“This funding will mean more people here in Northern B.C. will be able to acquire the skills they need to land good-paying jobs now and in the future. This is Premier Christy Clark’s job plan in action.”
-Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad
“Our Northern B.C. schools continue to be leaders in post-secondary education and this funding will help Northern residents acquire the skills they need closer to home. Investments like this in skills training and development are essential as we capitalize on our resource based economy and an aggressive job creation plan."
-Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond
“This program is another example of our commitment to enhance skills training throughout the province as we work to build an increasingly skilled workforce to meet present and future labour market demands and to provide British Columbians with access to new employment opportunities."
- Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation and Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell
“Higher education is key to our province’s growth and prosperity as we develop the workers of the future. Under the BC Jobs Plan, we’re working with our quality post-secondary institutions to increase learning and employment opportunities, building the foundation for a stronger economy.”
- Minister of Advanced Education, Naomi Yamamoto
Additional Information:
Learn More:
Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/
Skills for Growth, British Columbia’s labour market strategy to 2020: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/skills_for_growth/welcome.htm
Canada/British Columbia Labour Market Agreement: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/labourmarketagreement/
BACKGROUNDER
Employment Skills Access Initiative
College of New Caledonia
• $60,000 – Lumber Manufacturing, 12 participants. This 14-week program prepares participants for employment in a modern lumber manufacturing facility. Note: participant intake for this program has now closed.
• $221,706 – Light Warehouse Training, 32 participants. This 18-week program provides certificate training for entry-level employment in the warehousing industry. For more information about this program, visit www.cnc.bc.ca/__shared/assets/Light_Warehouse_Training_Program_Flatsheet20827.pdf
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
• $165,385 – Service Industries Training Program, 45 participants. This eight-week program teaches the skills to gain entry-level employment in a services-related industry. For more information about this training program, please contact Ali Antoine @ (250) 378-3398 or aantoine@nvit.bc.ca
Northwest Community College
• $403,530 – Construction Trades helpers and Labourers, 60 participants. This eight-week program teaches the skills needed for entry-level employment in construction.
• $301,561 – Heavy Equipment Operator Foundations and Technical Training Program, 18 participants. This 17-week program teaches the skills needed for employment in the resource and construction sectors.
• $257,866 – Value Added Carpentry Skills Plus, 18 participants. This six-month program, developed in partnership with the Gitwangak Education Society, includes the Industry Training Authority recognized Carpentry Foundations pre-apprenticeship program.
• For more information about Northwest Community College’s ESA training programs, contact Charlynn Toews at (250)635-6511 ext. 5357 or email ctoews@nwcc.bc.ca or visit http://ceit.nwcc.bc.ca
University of Northern BC
• $115,460 – Wildland Fire Training, 42 participants. This three-week program teaches the skills needed to become a wildland fire fighter in B.C.
• $67,620 – Introduction to Geographical Information Systems, 14 participants. This three-month certificate program provides participants with a level of competence and broad skill set that will allow them to be successful in achieving employment.
• For more information about ESA training programs at UNBC, please contact Robert Bryce @ (250) 960-5982 or brycer@unbc.ca, or visit www.unbc.ca/continuingstudies/
Labour Market Consortium (Northwestern Community College, College of New Caledonia, Northern Lights College)
• $460,356 – Industry Field Medic Skills Training, 144 participants. 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.)
• $510,452 – Essential Office Skills Training Program, 108 participants. This seven-week course trains participants to be customer-service-oriented and computer-savvy, with communication, thinking and accounting skills.
• For more information about these training programs, contact Charlynn Toews at (250)635-6511 ext. 5357 or email ctoews@nwcc.bc.ca or visit http://ceit.nwcc.bc.ca
-30-
Media contact: Ryan Shotton, B.C. Government Caucus Communications: 250-356-1539
