Over the next 10 years, BC will need to fill more than one million job openings. 80% of those jobs will require people in the workforce to have some kind of post-secondary education and training. The health-care and tech sectors continue to drive job opportunities, followed by retail, construction and education. If you are looking to access training, there are many Free Educational Resources to Help Newcomers Build their Career.
StrongerBC Future Skills Grant
The StrongerBC future skills grant covers up to $3,500 for eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions across BC. This grant provides you an opportunity to increase your skills, succeed in your current job, get better pay and adapt to labour market conditions. If you’re over 19 – regardless of your financial need – you may be eligible. Choose from a list of more than 400 programs with in-person, hybrid, or online options.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is an online educational platform that helps you discover and develop business, technology-related, and creative skills through expert-led course videos. You can access more than 5,000 courses related to your field and interests. LinkedIn Learning memberships can be accessed, free, from libraries throughout BC.
Coursera
Coursera is an online learning platform founded by two Stanford University computer science professors. It offers thousands of online courses in partnership with over 200 of the world’s leading universities and companies, including Yale, Princeton, Penn, Stanford, Google, and more. The site offers free individual courses as well as bachelor’s and master’s degree programs that reduce barriers to higher education. There are also professional certificate programs designed to aid workers in securing new roles or promotions.
Creativebug
Creativebug offers more than 1000 video classes in drawing, painting, sewing, quilting, knitting, and more. Taught by the world’s top artists, designers and crafters, Creativebug classes provide project ideas, expert guidance and a dose of creative inspiration for all levels. Check with your library to see if Creativebug is offered free with your membership.
Settlement Agencies
Many settlement agencies offer free training and courses to help newcomers gain the skills and experience needed for new roles. Here are a few that are scheduled in the near future.
- The MOSAIC Fast Track to Manufacturing Plus (F2M Plus) Program helps youth (age 16-29) learn about career options in the manufacturing and trades fields in Canada. After completing the training, you can pursue entry-level employment in manufacturing to gain experience or further your training in your trade of choice through apprenticeship.
- DIVERSEcity Skills Training Centre offers specialized training courses to help Canadian and immigrant jobseekers enter the workforce with in-demand skills and confidence. These fee-based courses that focus on job-ready skills such as computer and customer service skills are one to five days in length and are taught by industry experts.
- ISSofBC offers a Gateway to Tourism Hospitality Jobs for Newcomers. It can be hard to find hospitality and tourism jobs in Canada being a newcomer and not having experience, credentials, or connections. This free program helps newcomers to Canada access free fully funded training opportunities to find tourism and hospitality jobs.
Developing new skills has never been easier. With a little research into what you would like to develop, and a bit of time, you can build your resume with new skills.