The provincial government will invest $20 million into new job training programs to support people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It said the Skills Training for Economic Recovery funding stream will give nearly 2,500 British Columbians the short-term skill training to access good job opportunities.
“Our employment numbers continue to be affected by the pandemic. That’s why our government’s investment in enabling thousands of people to re-skill or up-skill through new, innovative short-term training programs in sought after fields is so important,” said Anne Kang, minister of advanced education and skills training.
The programs will prepare people for careers in areas such as technology, manufacturing, hospitality, horticulture and automotive trades, according to the province.
“These short-term training projects enable people to get the training they need to get back to work and take advantage of high-demand jobs,” said Kang.
Some programs are already underway, while others will start in the next few weeks, such as First Nations Technology Council’s Focus Web Development project, which will provide Indigenous participants with digital skills training for careers in the technology sector.
The Skills Training for Economic Recovery stream is part of a suite of initiatives under B.C.’s Economic Recovery Plan that will help thousands of people up-skill or re-skill and find their place in the post-pandemic economy, the province said. It is part of B.C.’s $10 billion COVID-19 response.
