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:

• Burnaby
• Coquitlam
• Maple Ridge
• New Westminster
• North Vancouver
• Pitt Meadows
• Port Coquitlam
• Port Moody
• Vancouver
• West Vancouver
• White Rock

Contact:
Insignia College or 778-695-7030

Acquiring Community-based Employment Skills (ACES) - Multiple Barriers

Acquiring Community-based Employment Skills (ACES) provides certificate-based training, along with life skills, employment readiness workshop and job placements and support. It is offered in person and online, with group learning and individualized training plans. 

Training locations:

• Abbotsford
• Burnaby
• Chilliwack
• Delta
• Ladner
• Langley
• Maple Ridge
• Mission
• New Westminster
• North Vancouver
• Pitt Meadows
• Richmond
• Squamish
• Tri-Cities
• West Vancouver
• White Rock

Contact:
Connective, email or 604-872-5471

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

B-Hired

B-Hired provides immigrant and refugee youth with skills training, career counselling and job coaching. The program focuses on helping people set goals for in-demand occupations, building the skills and confidence required for sustainable work.

Training location:

• Virtual

Contact:
Immigrant Services Society of BC, email or 604-416-2970

Computer Skills for the Office Short Certificate Program for Immigrant and Racialized Women

Computer Skills for the Office Short Certificate Program for Immigrant and Racialized Women is a 34-week online program that focuses on comprehensive skills and pre-employment training for entry or transition to office administrative positions.

Training locations:

• Virtual

Contact:
Langara College, email or 604-218-8206

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

Early Childhood Education Assistant Training

Early Childhood Education Assistant Training is a  16-week interculturally inclusive and accessible program is designed to equip new immigrant and refugee individuals to become certified Early Childhood Education Assistants (ECEA).

Training locations:

• Vancouver

Contact:
Vancouver Community College, email or 604-443-8751

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

EMPOW3R - Employment Readiness Program for Survivors of Violence Abuse & Trauma

EMPOW3R is an employment training program for women who identify as survivors of violence, abuse and trauma. Participants learn skills for jobs in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECEA) with a focus on skills training, job search training and life skills workshops in a trauma-informed environment.

Training locations:

• Burnaby
• Vancouver

Contact:
Kiwassa Neighbourhood House, email or 604-254-5401

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

FOOD SKILLS BC

Food Skills BC is a six-week employment program for newcomers to Canada looking for training, skills, certification and experience to find jobs in the food and agriculture industry. 

Training locations:

• Aldergrove
• Chilliwack
• Langley
• Maple Ridge
• Mission
• Pitt Meadows

Contact:
Mission Community Skills Centre Society, email or 604-427-1991

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:

• Burnaby
• Coquitlam
• Maple Ridge
• New Westminster
• North Vancouver
• Pitt Meadows
• Port Moody
• Vancouver
• West Vancouver
• White Rock

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

GVS (Gastown Vocational Services) Skills for Wellness & Work 

Skills for Wellness & Work is a six-week in person group for job seekers with vulnerabilities to mental health and substance use who have experienced trauma and/or abuse. Participants gain soft skills, essential skills and short-term skills training.

Training locations:

• Vancouver

Contact:
Gastown Vocational Services, email or 604-675-2535

HEAL (Hope, Empowerment, Adaptability and Learning) for Work

Hope, Empowerment, Adaptability and Learning for Work (HEAL) is a six-week hybrid program for women who are survivors of trauma and violence. Through a trauma-informed approach, employment specialists and clinical counsellors provide employability, life skills and psycho-educational workshops, as well as career counselling through group-based learning, one-on-one coaching and personal supports.

Training locations:

• Across the Mainland Southwest region

Contact:
DIVERSEcity, email or 604-547-1260

Jobs in Demand: Industry Skills Training Employment Program for Multi-Barrier Individuals

Jobs in Demand is a skills training program for six to eight weeks that targets high-demand sectors like social services, hospitality and trades, and it equips participants with industry-specific training and certifications. It is guided by employer partners, inclusivity and resilience in the workforce, bridging the gap between job seekers and employers. 

Training locations:

• Kamloops
• Kelowna
• Squamish
• Sunshine Coast
• Vancouver 

Contact:
Open Door Group

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

Securit

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.

Training locations:

• Langley

Contact:
Canadian Vocational Training Centre, email or 1-888-348-2207 or 1-250-596-1575

Strive Program

Strive is a program that provides young adults in and from government care with life and employment skills workshops, short-term occupational training certificates and supports. Participants receive honorariums for attending the program.

Training locations:

• Vancouver

Contact:
YWCA Metro Vancouver, email or 604-605-4666

WarehouseAbilities 

WarehouseAbilities is a 12-week program that prepares individuals for employment in the warehousing sector. Participants receive a range of personal and disability supports like work simulation, supported job search and job coaching opportunities and certifications. 

Training locations:

• Richmond
• Virtual

Contact:
Back In Motion Rehab Inc, email or 604-273-7350

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

Women’s Empowerment & Employment Readiness (WEE-R) Project

The Women’s Empowerment and Employment Readiness (WEE-R) Project is a 12-week hybrid program of skills training, wellness supports, and occupation-specific training and certification for immigrant and newcomer women to Canada.

Training locations:

• Delta
• Langley
• Surrey
• White Rock

Contact:
Options Community Services Society, email or 604-830-3307

Work 2 Live Program

Work 2 Live is a 12–24 month program that connects people ages 19-27 to long-term supportive housing and employment, wraparound supports, training, and coaching. Training and coaching is also offered to employers to help provide a safe and inclusive workplace.

Training locations:

• D’Arcy
• Metro Vancouver
• Pemberton
• Squamish
• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District

Contact:
Zero Ceiling, email or 604-962-5000

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.