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. <\/p>\n
The Cowichan Green Community Society<\/a> received $148,000 from the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement to fund a 38-week training program on the Island. <\/p>\n The Cowichan Green Community Society, a non-profit organization working to improve local food security.<\/p>\n READ RELATED: CHEK Upside: Cowichan non-profit fundraising for food programs<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAs 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,\u201d states the province.<\/p>\n Graduates from the program will earn certifications in first aid, Food Safe, pruning and beekeeping from Vancouver Island University. <\/p>\n Training is already underway, with its first batch of students enrolled on June 30, 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n The federal-provincial agreement is funding seven programs that seek to train people for \u201cin-demand jobs, such as construction workers, education assistants and hospitality workers, as well as heavy-equipment operators in forestry, civil infrastructure and excavation,\u201d states the release.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cSo we are funding more training for the skills people need to take on good-paying jobs that help local communities,\u201d Malcolmson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The training programs deliver a combination of classroom training, work experience and follow-up support to prepare participants for jobs across the province.\u00a0<\/p>\n Funding is from the Government of Canada through Employment Insurance contributions from workers and employers. <\/p>\n In addition to Cowichan-based program, six other programs received funding. See below for the list of recipients.<\/p>\n Community support worker <\/p>\n More than $475,000 was handed to Community support worker certificate training programs in Prince George, Langley, and Kamloops. \u200bLearn more here<\/a>. <\/p>\n Construction workers custom project <\/p>\n Building-service worker training <\/p>\n More than $213,000 is being invested in a building-service worker training program<\/a> in Vancouver, providing building-service worker training to 24 Spanish-speaking immigrants who are receiving income assistance. \u200b<\/p>\n Education assistants training programs<\/p>\n Hospitality and culinary essentials<\/p>\n Heavy-equipment operator <\/p>\n More than $497,000 is going towards a heavy-equipment operator training program where the Quatsino First Nation Economic Development Corporation<\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n