It’s estimated that by 2019, over three-quarters of all jobs will require at least some post-secondary education. To give low-skilled employees a chance to move up and fill these jobs, B.C.’s new $3-million Targeted Skills Shortage Pilot Program will help local businesses and non-profit organizations train current staff.
The pilot program is designed to help low-skilled employees who lack post-secondary training toward a degree or other credentials, gain new skills to improve productivity, take on new responsibilities and advance their careers. The Targeted Skills Shortage Pilot Program targets four high-growth sectors: transportation and warehousing; manufacturing; health care and social assistance; and professional, scientific and technical services.
Through the program, which will be administered by the non-profit Association of Service Providers for Employability and Career Training (ASPECT), local service providers will help businesses and non-profit organizations identify eligible employees, develop training plans and access funding for training.
The program focuses on assisting low-skilled workers within businesses or non-profit organizations with less than 100 employees.
Through the pilot, up to $1,500 per employee or $7,500 per employer is available to pay for tuition fees and purchase training services, books, manuals and other study materials.
The program is expected to serve at least 1,200 low skilled employees around B.C.
The Targeted Skills Shortage Pilot Program is one of many programs funded through the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Agreement that are designed to help meet our current and future labour demands.
Learn More:
Targeted Skills Shortage Pilot Program: www.aspect.bc.ca/tssp
Skills for Growth: www.aved.gov.bc.ca/skills_for_growth/ is British Columbia’s labour market strategy.
An online list of all labour market programs and services open to British Columbians at: www.workbc.ca
