NDP MLA Rachna Singh says skills training will help people in Surrey get back to work

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SURREY– New Democrat MLA Rachna Singh 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 am proud our government is supporting people in Surrey by increasing access to even more training that will help them get jobs,” said MLA Rachna Singh of Surrey-Green Timbers. “Not only will these benefit someone personally, but it will enable them to collectively lift up their families and communities as well.”

Many programs are already underway and additional training opportunities will start in the next few months. Examples of the 25 Programs being offered in Surrey are included below. For a complete list of programs being offered, see the backgrounder.

  • Ace Community College is offering the Red Seal Construction Trades Training program which provides unemployed immigrants and visible minorities with training and supports to pass the Inter-Provincial exam conducted by the Industry Training Authority (ITA). This program is supported by an investment of over $330,000.
  • Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) will provide the “I My program” which offers entrepreneurship training to youth interested in starting or growing their own business. This program is supported by an investment of approx. $368,000.
  • Western Community College is hosting the The Medical Office Assistant program which provides participants with training and knowledge to find employment in the health care sector. Training includes digital literacy, soft skills, and short-term safety training. This program is supported by an investment of over $270,000.

MLA Rachna Singh says $95 million has been allocated to organizations around the province that provide skills training and employment services to more than 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/releases/2021AEST0051-001544

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