Jobs and training

The cover of the Future Ready Action Plan with a mosaic of smaller photos creating the outline of two students carrying backpacks.

Future Ready Action Plan 

An action plan to meet the challenges of today, make sure people are ready to succeed, and grow our stronger economy into the future 


B.C. is taking action to create jobs, train people to work in high-opportunity fields and support businesses to adapt and grow. We’re making sure people have the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow and creating more opportunities for people to get the education they want.

Streamlining international credential recognition

Skilled people trained outside of Canada too often face unfair barriers to work in their field in B.C. We’re taking action this fall to help people moving to B.C. use their skills in their professions faster. This builds on the progress we have already made to make it faster and easier for internationally trained health care workers to fill the worker shortage in the health sector. This will help B.C. meet current and future needs for in-demand jobs and strengthen the economy.

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Minimum wage increases

Every worker in B.C. deserves to make a fair wage for their work. That’s why, on June 1, 2023, British Columbia’s minimum wage increased to $16.75/hr from $15.65/hr.

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New future skills grant

Giving thousands of people new skills and opportunities through short- term training options. The grant is up to $3,500 to cover the cost of micro-credential training for in- demand jobs delivered by public post-secondary institutions throughout the province. 

An early childhood educator teaching her class.

More post-secondary spaces

Making post-secondary education even more affordable, accessible, and relevant and increases the number of students with job-ready skills needed for the tech-related and engineering workforce, Early Childhood Education services, caring professions, teachers, and innovative enterprises throughout B.C. 

An apprentice mechanic holding a clipboard and standing beside a vehicle with an open hood while a group of students are being trained in the background.

Helping people who want to reskill 

Providing the skills needed to fill the jobs of tomorrow, so people can more easily reskill for better jobs and opportunities in B.C.’s growing economy. This means more people equipped with high-demand skills to increase productivity and competitiveness, to take advantage of the opportunities in this labour market. 

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Expanding skills training for people facing multiple barriers 

Breaking down barriers so everyone can find a meaningful job that works for them by providing more access to education and training. These actions will increase economic security and greater participation by people facing barriers and will quickly boost the supply of ready workers.

A young indigenous man wearing a reflective vest and leaning on a tool with his back to a large tree trunk.

Expanding opportunities for Indigenous Peoples 

Addressing, recognizing and elevating Indigenous Peoples workforce priorities through expanded post-secondary training and labour market opportunities designed to boost the participation and employment security of Indigenous Peoples across the B.C. economy. 

A woman in scrubs holds a horse's muzzle in a field while smiling at the camera.

More veterinarians in B.C.

B.C. needs more veterinarians. New funding will permanently double subsidized veterinary medicine seats for B.C. students at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. More people will get quality training, and our pets and farm animals can get the health care they need.

A group of young adults sit and laugh together while working on their homework and sitting on fake grass outside a post-secondary building.

Access to education expanded for former youth in care

No more age limits for former youth in care to get the costs of post-secondary tuition covered. Removing the age limit will break cost barriers and support people to get good-paying and meaningful jobs. The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program covers many options: certificate programs, diploma or undergraduate degrees, non-credit courses, apprenticeship programs and continuing education courses.

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Gold and silver mine will bring jobs to B.C.’s central Interior

Jobs for people, benefits for local businesses, communities and First Nations, and highest standards for environmental protection with a new gold and silver mine in B.C.’s central Interior. Artemis Gold, the Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation, Ulkatcho First Nation and Carrier Sekani First Nations, and area communities worked together to get the Blackwater Gold project approved.

A Black man smiles at a younger colleague while they work with machinery.

Skills for future jobs

Future Ready is getting $480 million over three years to break down barriers to post-secondary training. More people can get the training they need for in-demand careers, and employers can access the talent they need.

A young white man sits with a few other classmates as he looks at the camera with a pen in hand.

B.C. Access Grants

Each year, the B.C. Access Grant helps more than 40,000 low- and middle-income students in B.C. access, afford and complete public post-secondary education and training in undergraduate degree, diploma, and certificate programs.

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1 million jobs for people in B.C.

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Helping close B.C.’s gender pay gap

B.C. is taking action to address the gender pay gap. Starting November 2023, employers will be required to make average pay for men and women publicly available. This change will address discrimination that holds women back and will help ensure fairer compensation throughout B.C.

A Black man in childcare sits with children and smiles as he reads a book to them.

Jobs and training for early childhood educators

Providing families in B.C. with the child care they need by making investments in our early childhood education workforce.

As we expand access to child care for parents, more than 10,000 new early childhood educators will be needed in B.C.’s workforce in the next decade. With funding for training, and new seats in post-secondary programs, there is no better time to train to be an early childhood educator.

A middle-aged Indigenous man wearing goggles and coveralls watches a young Indigenous woman wearing a shield mask as she welds a piece of metal.

Creating opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs

New entrepreneur training and business support for Indigenous Peoples and traditionally underrepresented groups.

Digital 3D rendering of the Trades Discovery Centre. It appears to have a modern design with light wood paneling highlights and contrasting black and white features.

Training people to get jobs in trades and tech

Building a new Trades and Technology Complex at BCIT to train people to fill the high-demand jobs opening up in B.C.

Med students wearing scrubs and stethoscopes sit in a class together. The focus is on a young white woman smiling at the camera.

Closing B.C.’s skills and talent gap

As we speed up talent development and skills training throughout the province, we’re also helping today’s workers upgrade their skills and train for new jobs.

This includes new skilled trades certification and more training seats for much-needed workers in the health-care sector.

A forestry worker uses a chainsaw to separate a large downed tree.

Support for forestry workers

Supported more than a thousand forestry workers to retire in their communities, while creating more jobs.

Continuing to invest in new opportunities for younger workers affected by old growth deferrals, while helping older workers bridge to retirement.

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Helping B.C. businesses hire and grow

Making sure high-potential businesses have more opportunities to scale-up, retain talent and create good jobs with funding from InBC, a $500-million strategic investment fund.

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Growing B.C.’s life science sector

People in the province and around the world will benefit from the innovative work of B.C.’s life sciences sector as we invest more in new talent, lab space and health research.

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Paid sick leave