October 20, 2009

The University of Northern British Columbia will be offering free training programs to unemployed workers as part of the Employment Skills Access program funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement.
UNBC will be receiving more than $300,000 to fund programs aimed at providing training for more than sixty unemployed workers who are not Employment Insurance clients.

UNBC was approved for funding to provide three certificate-level courses including:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Project Management
• Geographic Information Systems

“The program will provide individuals with highly sought-after skills for that can help them gain employment in a variety of industries.” says UNBC Continuing Studies Coordinator Kim Knutsson.

The Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Moira Stilwell says the finances are to help unemployed British Columbians transition back into the labour force or into further education.

“The Employment Skills Access Program is another example of how the B.C. and federal governments are working together to provide new options for the unemployed, helping them to find and maintain meaningful employment and further educational opportunities,” said Stilwell. “Our public post-secondary institutions are well positioned to provide British Columbians with a full range of training so they can transition to the work force with enhanced skills during this difficult economic period.”

The first program, Project Management, begins November 9 and the application deadline is November 1.

Click to download the release from the Government of BC.

Contact:

Michael Kellett, Communications Officer, UNBC - 250.960.5621

Kim Knutsson, Continuing Studies Coordinator, UNBC - 250.960.6443