A Cowichan-based program is one of seven recipients of a B.C.-Canada $3-million investment in employment training programs for people who face barriers to employment.

The Cowichan Green Community Society received $148,000 from the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement to fund a 38-week training program on the Island.

The Cowichan Green Community Society, a non-profit organization working to improve local food security.

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“As many as eight Indigenous participants will receive 22 weeks of classroom and field-based agricultural training, 14 weeks of hands-on farm experience and two weeks of job-search support,” states the province.

Graduates from the program will earn certifications in first aid, Food Safe, pruning and beekeeping from Vancouver Island University.

Training is already underway, with its first batch of students enrolled on June 30, 2025. 

The federal-provincial agreement is funding seven programs that seek to train people for “in-demand jobs, such as construction workers, education assistants and hospitality workers, as well as heavy-equipment operators in forestry, civil infrastructure and excavation,” states the release.

Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Sheila Malcolmson says these programs are especially important with increased costs of living and uncertainty from U.S. tariffs.

“So we are funding more training for the skills people need to take on good-paying jobs that help local communities,” Malcolmson said. 

The training programs deliver a combination of classroom training, work experience and follow-up support to prepare participants for jobs across the province. 

Funding is from the Government of Canada through Employment Insurance contributions from workers and employers.

In addition to Cowichan-based program, six other programs received funding. See below for the list of recipients.

Community support worker

More than $475,000 was handed to Community support worker certificate training programs in Prince George, Langley, and Kamloops. ​Learn more here.

Construction workers custom project

Building-service worker training

More than $213,000 is being invested in a building-service worker training program in Vancouver, providing building-service worker training to 24 Spanish-speaking immigrants who are receiving income assistance. ​

Education assistants training programs

Hospitality and culinary essentials

Heavy-equipment operator

More than $497,000 is going towards a heavy-equipment operator training program where the Quatsino First Nation Economic Development Corporation is training as many as to 15 Indigenous participants in Coal Harbour on Vancouver Island for employment as heavy-equipment operators in forestry, road construction, civil infrastructure and excavation. 

For more information on the seven new training projects funded for people with barriers to employment, visit gov.bc.ca.