B.C. program to train new Canadians for trades careers

SURREY, B.C. — A new project by the Province of B.C. will help fund training and certification courses for dozens of aspiring tradespeople.

The program will help up to 36 eligible B.C. residents get skills training and certification courses for jobs as automotive service technicians, millwrights and welders. The program will focus on recruiting new Canadians with previous trades experience.

“There’s a need for skilled tradespeople in B.C. and across the country,” said Nicholas Simons, minister of social development and poverty reduction, in a press release. “This Red Seal certification project supports participants to improve their skills, broaden their work experience and maximize their earning potential.”

The province will supply more than $600,000 to Ace Trades and Technical Institute in Surrey to deliver the content in three separate streams of its Industrial Trades Training for Red Seal Certification project.

“It can be challenging for immigrants and newcomers to find and keep good-paying jobs, even when they have experience from their home countries,” said Rachna Singh, MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers. “This new CEP project is an excellent opportunity for the participants, and I wish them all the best of luck in their studies.”

The project covers 10 weeks of occupational, employability and life-skills training, four weeks of on-the-job work experience and one week of followup support to assist in their job search.

Participants will also obtain instruction in Industry Training Authority BC documentation and certification courses in Electrical Safety Training Systems for Non-Electrical Workers, Occupational First Aid Level 1, Hazard Recognition, Personal Protective Equipment and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training.

Officials plan to get participants prepared to complete the interprovincial Red Seal challenge exams by the end of the program.

Funding for this project is provided through the Project Based Labour Market Training stream of WorkBC’s CEP. CEP’s aim is to increase employment and work experience opportunities for unemployed British Columbians through leveraging local community partnerships, shared information, technology and innovative practices.