BURNABY – New Democrat MLAs Janet Routledge, Anne Kang, Katrina Chen, and Raj Chouhan say 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.
“We know that the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on women, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, people with disabilities, and others who are marginalized,” said Janet Routledge, MLA for Burnaby North. “With these skills training programs, we’re helping people get back on their feet and into good, sustainable jobs, which in turn benefits our local economy.”
Many programs are already underway and additional training opportunities will start in the next few months. The following are some examples of the over 25 programs available to people in Burnaby:
- MOSAIC will deliver the Fast Track to Technology Careers program, which provides recent immigrants, francophones, and visible minorities with the skills to begin a career in IT. This program will serve 33 participants in the Lower Mainland and is supported by an investment of $602,123.
- YWCA Metro Vancouver will deliver the MindSet program, which supports people facing mental health barriers to employment, such as anxiety or depression. Participants receive counselling, career training, and individual support with goal setting, as well as financial supports while they complete the program. This program serves 44 participants in the Lower Mainland and is supported by an investment of $333,850.
- Dan’s Legacy Foundation will deliver the Intro to Cook program, which provides young people with training for a career in the food service industry. The program is designed for young people who are aging out of care, as well as youth survivors of gendered violence, Indigenous youth and newcomers to Canada. The program will serve 48 youth in the Lower Mainland and is supported by an investment of $457,004.
The MLAs say $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.
Quotes:
Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake and Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training
“The global pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for British Columbians who lost their jobs or became under-employed. These new community-based skills training projects will help vulnerable and under-represented groups receive training and employment support they need to help themselves while also building our economy.”
Katrina Chen, MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed
“We’re investing in these programs to ensure that as our economy recovers, people in Burnaby have the skills and support they need to get back into the workforce or start exciting new careers. When people in our community succeed, we are all better off.”
Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds
“As a result of the pandemic, some in our community are unemployed or under-employed, and may be facing barriers to reaching their career goals. These programs will meet people where they’re at and provide them with the skills and experience they need to get into in-demand careers.”
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