People in British Columbia pursuing in-demand careers will soon have access to grants covering most or all of their tuition through the next intake of the StrongerBC future skills grant.
The grant, which provides up to $3,500 for eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions, aims to address the growing demand for skilled workers in the province.
“Because B.C.’s strong economy is growing, we now have more job openings than people with the training needed to work in high-demand fields,” said Premier David Eby. “We need to give people the opportunity to build a good life – and help employers find the people to drive our economy forward and deliver the services we all rely on.”
Residents of British Columbia aged 19 and older are eligible for the grants, which are designed to remove financial barriers to training and help people succeed in their current jobs or secure better-paying ones.
“This government is focused on investing in British Columbians and removing financial barriers to their success,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “With the $3,500 future skills grant, people will be able to boost their skills, succeed in their current jobs, and get better-paying jobs.”
The program has already served over 7,000 people, offering training opportunities in various industries, including healthcare, firefighting, cybersecurity, and construction. With more than 300 programs available, individuals can start training in September 2024. Registration for the fall semester is open.
Learning opportunities are available in-person, online, or through hybrid delivery, making it easier for people to find training that fits their schedules. Supported training includes:
- Healthcare: medical terminology, emergency medical responder, dental office administration
- Trades and firefighting: construction, electric vehicle repair, wildfire fighting
- Professional and technical: cybersecurity, digital marketing
- Various certificates and micro-credentials: education, agriculture, finance
The StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan, released on May 2, 2023, is a government initiative to make education and training more accessible, affordable, and relevant. It is supported by a $480-million investment to break down barriers to post-secondary education, ensuring more people can train for in-demand careers and that employers can access the talent they need.
Kathy Denton, president and CEO of Douglas College, highlighted the impact of the grant: “The future skills grant has been instrumental in helping to reduce the financial burden for students who need access to short-term career training. Extending this grant to more programs next year will enable even more students to get the education they need to fill in-demand roles across B.C.”
Sumit Makkar, a recent graduate who received a future skills grant, shared his experience: “The future skills grant gave me the support I needed to focus entirely on my studies and professional development. The financial support was crucial in helping me settle into my new life in Canada while pursuing my career goals.”