Skills Training for Employment Readiness
Build the skills, confidence, and experience you need to take steps toward employment.
Skills Training for Employment Readiness opportunities may help you:
- Gain confidence
- Grow your skills for work and life
- Access supports
- Get ready for a job in an in-demand field
These training opportunities are for you if you are:
- Unemployed
- Underemployed in a job where your hours are not stable, or your work is not in line with your skills (sometimes referred to as precariously employed)
- A person with a disability
- Indigenous
- An immigrant or newcomer
- A survivor of violence
Skills Training for Employment Readiness Directory
You can use the directory to find details about each training opportunity.
Computer Skills for the Office
Service Area: Province-wide
Focus: Immigrants and Newcomers
Description: Computer Skills for the Office is a 34-week online certificate program focused on comprehensive skills and pre-employment training for entry or transition to office administrative positions.
Eligible Participants: Immigrant and racialized women living in British Columbia who are legally eligible to work and are unemployed or precariously employed.
Service Provider: Langara College
Phone: 604-323-5134
Email: pkliu@langara.ca
Website: https://langara.ca/continuing-studies/programs-and-courses/programs/admin-immigrant/index.html
Security Industry Employment Preparation
Service Area: Province-wide
Focus: Multiple Barriers to Employment and Income Assistance
Description: Securit prepares individuals over the course of 12 weeks for a wide range of entry level positions in the security industry. It also provides supports as required for childcare, accommodations, and mental and emotional health.
Eligible Participants: People living in British Columbia who are legally eligible to work, are unemployed or precariously employed, and experience multiple barriers to employment.
Service Provider: Canadian Vocational Training Center
Phone: 250-596-1575
Email: Cal@vocationaltrainingcentre.com
Website: www.vocationaltrainingcentre.com
Acquiring Community-based Employment Skills (ACES)
Service Area: Kamloops, Nanaimo, Prince George, Vancouver
Focus: Multiple Barriers to Employment and Income Assistance
Description: ACES provides certificate-based training, along with life skills, employment readiness workshop and job placements and support. The program is offered in-person and online, with group learning and individualized training plans.
Eligible Participants: People living in British Columbia who are legally eligible to work, are unemployed or precariously employed, and experience multiple barriers to employment.
Service Provider: Connective
Phone: 604-226-9360
Email: aces@connective.ca
Website: https://connective.ca/blog/aces-employment-program/
Skills and Life Foundations for Employment
Service Area: Port Alberni, Province-wide
Focus: Indigenous Peoples
Description: STEPS to Success III offers integrated learning, healing and skill development that addresses the barriers and social economic challenges faced by Indigenous peoples.
Eligible Participants: Indigenous peoples living in British Columbia who are legally eligible to work and are unemployed or precariously employed.
Service Provider: Port Alberni Friendship Center
Email: dleonew@pafriendshipcenter.com or cstevens@pafriendshipcenter.com
Website: https://www.pafriendshipcenter.com/
Life and Financial Stability Building
Service Area: Langford, Victoria, Province-wide
Focus: Survivors of Violence and Abuse
Description: Bridges Employment Program is a six-month program designed to inspire participants to reclaim their lives and build financial security. The program offers in-person and remote participation options, workshops and comprehensive support and skills development.
Eligible Participants: Women affected by trauma, violence, or abuse who are living in British Columbia, are legally eligible to work and are unemployed or precariously employed.
Service Provider: Bridges for Women
Phone: 250-385-7410 or 1-866-896-3356
Email: info@bridgesforwomen.ca
Website: https://bridgesforwomen.ca/
Early Childhood Education Assistant Training
Service Area: Abbotsford, Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Surrey, Vancouver
Focus: Immigrants and Newcomers
Description: Early Childhood Education Assistant Training is a 16-week interculturally inclusive and accessible program, designed to equip participants to become certified Early Childhood Education Assistants.
Eligible Participants: Immigrants and Newcomers living in British Columbia who are legally eligible to work and are unemployed or precariously employed.
Service Provider: Vancouver Community College
Phone: 604-443-8751
Email: contracttraining@vcc.ca
Website: https://www.vcc.ca
Early Childhood Care and Education Career Preparation
Service Area: Burnaby, Vancouver
Focus: Survivors of Violence and Abuse
Description: EMPOW3R is an employment training program designed to help participants prepare for jobs in Early Childhood Care and Education with a focus on skills training, job search training and life skills workshops in a trauma-informed environment.
Eligible Participants: Women who identify as survivors of violence, abuse, and trauma, who live in British Columbia, are legally eligible to work, and are unemployed or precariously.
Service Provider: Kiwassa Neighborhood House
Phone: 604-254-5401
Email: empow3r@kiwassa.ca
Website: https://empow3r.ca/
Food and Agriculture Employment Skills
Service Area: Aldergrove, Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Surrey
Focus: Immigrants and Newcomers
Description: Food Skills BC is a six-week employment program that equips participants with training, skills, certification and experience to find jobs in the food and agriculture industry.
Eligible Participants: Newcomers to Canada living in British Columbia who are legally eligible to work and are unemployed or precariously employed.
Service Provider: Mission Community Skills Centre Society
Phone: 604-427-1991
Email: fsbc@missioncsc.org
Website: https://www.missioncsc.org/
Employment Readiness and Wellness Supports
Service Area: Delta, Langley, Surrey, White Rock
Focus: Survivors of Violence and Abuse
Description: Hope, Empowerment, Adaptability and Learning for Work is a six week hybrid program that uses a trauma informed approach in which employment specialists and clinical counsellors deliver employability, life skills, and psycho educational workshops, as well as career counselling, through group based learning, one on one coaching, and personalized supports.
Eligible Participants: Survivors of trauma and violence living in British Columbia who are legally eligible to work and are unemployed or precariously employed.
Service Provider: DIVERSEcity
Phone: 604-547-1260
Email: heal@dcrs.ca
Website: https://www.dcrs.ca/our-services/employment-programs/h-e-a-l-for-work-program
Skills for Wellness & Work
Service Area: Vancouver
Focus: Survivors of Violence and Abuse
Description: Skills for Wellness & Work is a six-week in-person group for job seekers to gain soft skills, essential skills and short-term skills training.
Eligible Participants: People with vulnerabilities to mental health and substance use who have experienced trauma and/or abuse, live in British Columbia, are legally eligible to work, and are unemployed or precariously employed,
Service Provider: Vancouver Coastal Health Authority DBA- Gastown Vocational Services
Phone: 604-675-2535
Email: infoGVS@vch.ca
Website: https://www.gvssupport.ca/
Warehouse Employment Skills and Certification Training
Service Area: Richmond, Vancouver, North Shore, Burnaby, Tri-cities, Delta, Surrey, Langley
Focus: Persons with Disabilities
Description: WarehouseAbilities provides competency‑based, warehouse-related work simulation training, soft skills training, Skills for Success, occupational skills training, and certifications. Participants also have access to a range of personal and disability supports. Training is delivered through a hybrid model that combines in‑person and virtual formats.
Eligible Participants: People living in British Columbia who are legally eligible to work, are unemployed or precariously employed, and experience disability-related and other barriers to employment.
Service Provider: Back In Motion Rehab Inc.
Phone: 604-273-7350
Email: info@warehouseabilities.ca
Website: https://WarehouseAbilities.ca
Women’s Empowerment & Employment Readiness Projects
Service Area: Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, White Rock
Focus: Immigrants and Newcomers
Description: Women’s Empowerment and Employment Readiness Project is a 12 week hybrid online and in person program designed to equip participants with essential skills, wellness supports, and occupation specific training and certifications to support their employment goals.
Eligible Participants: Immigrant and newcomer women living in British Columbia who are legally eligible to work and are unemployed or underemployed employed.
Service Provider: Options Community Services Society
Phone: 604-825-2549
Email: wee-r@options.bc.ca
Website: https://www.options.bc.ca/
Office, Social Services, and Trades Skills Training
Service Area: Kamloops, Kelowna, Sunshine Coast, Squamish Multiple Barriers to Employment and Income Assistance
Description: Jobs in Demand is a six to eight week hybrid, interactive, group based skills training program that prepares individuals for employment in office administration, social services, and skilled trades. The program includes group workshops, online modules, and employment supports.
Eligible Participants: People living in British Columbia who are legally eligible to work, are unemployed or precariously employed, and experience multiple barriers to employment.
Service Provider: Open Door Group
Phone: 604-872-0770
Email: info@opendoorgroup.org
Website: https://www.opendoorgroup.org/
Retail, Tourism, and Hospitality Employment Readiness
Service Area: Burns Lake, Fort St. James, Mackenzie Prince George, Quesnel, Vanderhoof, and surrounding areas
Focus: Multiple Barriers to Employment and Income Assistance
Description: Community Ambassadors in Tourism & Hospitality is a 12-week program that provides participants with basic information and training to work in retail, tourism, and hospitality industries. Components of the program focus on employer expectations, realistic working conditions and developing interpersonal communication skills.
Eligible Participants: People living in British Columbia who are legally eligible to work, are unemployed or precariously employed, and experience multiple barriers to employment.
Service Provider: College of New Caledonia
Phone: 250-562-2131 ext. 5351
Email: omita1@cnc.bc.ca
Website: https://cnc.bc.ca/