Jobs and training

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.