NDP MLA Malcolmson says skills training will help people in Nanaimo get back to work

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NANAIMO – New Democrat MLA Sheila Malcolmson says people whose jobs were affected by COVID-19, and those in vulnerable or underrepresented groups, will be able to access new training and job opportunities to find their place as our economy recovers from COVID-19.

“I’m grateful for the Nanaimo organizations that support people who’ve faced challenges looking for long-term work,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “Our funding will help training programs, so more people find jobs as we recover from the pandemic.”

Many programs are already underway and additional training opportunities will start in the next few months. Programs being offered in Nanaimo include:

  • Ethos Career Management Group will deliver the RiseUP program to 56 participants on Vancouver Island and the South Coast. This program is supported by an investment of  $726,733.
  • ETHOS Career Management Group Ltd will deliver the Rebel Entrepreneur Program to 48 participants on Vancouver Island. This program is supported by an investment of $767,653.
  • Stillwater will deliver Next Generation Business Training to 96 participants in the Cariboo, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Cranbrook, and Prince George. This program is supported by an investment of $1,967,328.
  • Stillwater Consulting Ltd. will deliver the Wildland Firefighting And Silviculture Program to 156 participants in Nanaimo, Mission, Prince George, Kamloops, and Cranbrook. This program is supported by an investment of $3,856,633
  • Vancouver Island Vocational and Rehabilitation Services will deliver the Pre-Employment Services Program to 25 participants in Nanaimo. This program is supported by an investment of $160,049 and is provided through the Survivors of Domestic Violence funding stream.
  • Vancouver Island Vocational and Rehabilitation Services will deliver the Pre-Employment Services Program to 35 participants on Vancouver Island. This program is supported by an investment of $209,395 and is provided through the Persons with Disabilities funding stream.
  • Discovery Community College is delivering the Enhanced Personal Support Worker Project to 20 participants in Nanaimo beginning January 2022. This program is supported by an investment of $176,000.

MLA Malcolmson says a total of $95 million has been allocated to organizations around the province that provide skills training and employment services to over 9,000 people. This investment includes both provincial and federal funding through the Canada-B.C. Workforce Development Agreement.

This is part of the New Democrat government’s Economic Recovery Plan to help thousands of people upskill or reskill and find good, sustainable jobs. These programs complement a provincial investment of $20 million earlier this year for short-term training projects to help people enter or rejoin the workforce.

Learn More:  https://news.gov.bc.ca/25086

If you are an employer seeking funding to train new or existing staff, see B.C. Employer Training Grant:  https://www.workbc.ca/Employer-Resources/BC-Employer-Training-Grant.aspx

If you are unemployed and looking for a program that can help you get back on your feet and into the labour market, see STE Economic Recovery Programs:

https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education/STE-Economic-Recovery-Programs.aspx