Mainland/Southwest

The British Columbia Labour Market Outlook estimates 77 percent of all job openings in the next 10 years will require post-secondary education, specialized training, or demonstrated leadership experience. The Mainland/Southwest region is expected to have 680,000 job openings over the next decade.

The programs outlined below assist individuals facing multiple barriers to gain the skills needed to participate in the labour market, secure sustainable employment, or move on to further education or training that can benefit their lives.  

75 percent of participants were employed at program exit and 20 percent were pursuing further education, for a total positive outcome of 95 percent.

Accounting & Payroll Certificate for Multi-Barriered Persons Training Project

This certificate program takes place both in person and online over 23 weeks. It offers participants customized training, a job practicum, job search support and follow up services. 

Training locations:

• Surrey
• Delta
• Virtual

Contact:
Insignia College or 778-695-7030

Active Generation for Employment (AGE)

Active Generation for Employment (AGE) is an interactive three-week intensive office administration and customer service skills training program for workers aged 55+. It offers specific office application skills, customer service training and one-to-one job search coaching.

Training locations:

• All communities in Mainland/Southwest
• Burnaby
• Richmond
• Surrey
• Tri-Cities
• Vancouver

Contact:
SUCCESS, email or 778-394-8822 ext. 2002

Admin and Accounting Works

Admin and Accounting Works is an 11-week program that provides workers aged 55+ with introductory skills training in accounting and bookkeeping for careers in office administration. It includes a work practicum, job search and placement assistance.

Training locations:

• Delta
• Langley
• Surrey
• White Rock

Contact:
Sources Community Resources Society, email or 604-262-4858

Drive Forward: Immigrant Trucking Program

Drive Forward is a commercial trucking program for immigrants. It offers Level 1 and Level 2 Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT), trucker dispatch training and heavy equipment licensing (e.g. forklift, telehandler). 

Training locations:

• Musqueam First Nations
• Squamish
• Stó:lō First Nations
• Throughout Mainland Southwest region, including First Nations communities
• Tsleil-Waututh First Nations

Contact:
Umoja Operation Compassion Society of BC, email or 604-581-5574

Employing Youth from Care (Bootstraps Project)

Employing Youth from Care provides young adults transitioning out of care with essential skills, occupational skills and soft skills training, including supported work experience placements.

Training locations:

• New Westminster
• Vancouver

Contact:
Aunt Leah's Independent Life Skills Society, email or 604-525-1204 (ext. 225

Fast Track to Manufacturing Plus (F2M Plus)

Fast Track to Manufacturing Plus offers pre-employment services and supports, occupational skills training and employment experience in the manufacturing and skilled trades sectors. Participants learn about manufacturing and skilled trades career options to pursue further education and training or start an entry level job or apprenticeship.

Training locations:

• Surrey

Contact:
MOSAIC, email or 778-591-9334

Future Health Professionals

Future Health Professionals is a program that provides participants with coursework and practicum training to obtain certification or diploma in health professions, including health care assistant-acute care (HCA), medical office assistant and early childhood education assistant (ECEA).

Training locations:

• Across Mainland Southwest region

Contact:
Western Community College

Green Energy Trades Training Program

Green Energy Trades Training is a 10-week hybrid training program provides participants with an industry recognized credential and the foundational knowledge and skills required to work in the green energy industry. It includes an on-the-job practicum, job search support and follow-up services. 

Training locations:

• Surrey

Contact:
ACE Community College, email or 604-603-ACE1 (2231)

Learn and Earn Enhanced Program

The Learn and Earn Enhanced Program enables participants to gain certifications, mentoring, career exploration, further education and job skills.

Training locations:

• Vancouver
• Across Lower Mainland including:
• Abbotsford
• Chilliwack
• Surrey

Contact:
EMBERS, email or 236-997-0971

Rewired

Rewired is a program that supports at-risk young adults with skilled trades training and employment. Training includes a paid 4-week discovery and information curriculum and a paid 8-week work experience program.

Training locations:

• North Vancouver

Contact:
Hollyburn Community Services Society, email or 604-987-8211

We Float Boats! Marine Service Pre-Employment Program

The Marine Service Pre-Employment program provides young adults with career opportunities in the marine service industry and other related businesses in Vancouver, Victoria and surrounding areas. The program delivers marine community-based skills exploration and employment readiness leading to full-time or part-time employment.

Training locations:

• Richmond
• Delta
• Vancouver

Contact:
Quadrant Marine, email or 250-656-2824

Youth at Risk Gateway to Trades Sampler

Youth at Risk Gateway to Trades Sampler is a program that allows participants to explore careers in Carpentry, Electrical, Heavy Mechanical, Plumbing and Piping, Sheet Metal and Welding, including practical skills training and employment certifications.

Training locations:

• Kelowna

Contact:
Okanagan College, email or 250-862-5457

This project is funded by the Government of B.C. through the Future Ready Action Plan and the Government of Canada.