New Skills Training Programs Announced

Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
From a News Release of December 9th

The B.C. government is investing over $13 million in new employment skills training in regions throughout British Columbia.

College of the Rockies will receive:

· $87,120 – Introduction to the Trades Program, 12 participants. This 10-week program provides participants with certification required to gain employment in a trades-related position at an entry or apprentice level.

· $269,332 – Forestry Boot Camp Training Program, 24 participants. This three-week program provides the certification needed to gain entry-level employment in the forest industry.

· For more information about ESA training programs at College of the Rockies, please contact Bonnie New at 250 489-2751 ext 3440 or: bnew@cotr.bc.ca.


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 Initiative (ESA). This project is funded within government’s existing fiscal plan.

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 in programs 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).