The Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) is currently seeking to help people looking to improve their employability.
The Training Fee Support Program runs as a bursary and is open to any residents of the Columbia Basin (which includes the Upper Columbia Valley) who are unemployed or underemployed. As much as $800 per person can be awarded through the program to cover tuition or course fees for any type of short-term training.
“By pursuing this funding, it showed my potential employer that I took the initiative to seek education in the areas where I was lacking experience,” said bursary recipient Lisa Voigt in a press release on the funding. Ms. Voigt used the funding to take short-term courses in graphic design.
“I got the job that I wanted, and my employer was able to spend less time training me. Now that I’m gaining valuable experience with these design tools, I’ll be able to apply for higher paying jobs in the future,” she said.
The program has run for at least a decade and has helped more than 7,500 Basin residents improve their jobs prospects.
“We know that residents are looking for support to gain the skills they need to get the job they want. It’s easy to apply and applications are accepted year-round. I encourage individuals to get in touch with their local Work BC office and start the conversation.” said CBT senior manager of delivery of benefits Lisa Kilpatrick.
The program is administered and managed by College of the Rockies, but those wishing to apply to the program can also do so at the EK Employment service centre in Invermere.
For program information, visit cbt.org/trainingfee2015.
To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, visit cbt.org or call 1-800-505-8998.
