Home Post-Secondary Camosun College BC $3,500 skills grant covers 65 areas of study at Camosun

BC $3,500 skills grant covers 65 areas of study at Camosun

For workers at all ages & stages of their careers.

June 5, 2023

camosun, students, training — Sixty-five programs offered through Professional Studies and Industry Training are eligible for the $3,500 future skills grant. [Camosun]

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Monday June 5, 2023 | SAANICH, BC [Updated 10:35 am]

by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends

Sixty-five offerings through Professional Studies and Industry Training at Camosun College have met the requirements to be eligible for the B.C. Government’s $3,500 future skills grant.

Eligible areas of study Certificate Programs (e.g. Applied Project Management, Hospital Unit Clerk, Business Analysis, and Leadership); Micro-Credentials & Courses (in a range of skilled trades and career areas including in the building, vehicle, film, plumbing, and a range of digital and computer applications), and Nautical courses.

Rodney Porter, Communications & Marketing, Camosun College [File photo Feb 2023 / Island Social Trends]

Micro-credentials:

Micro-credentials are short courses that can be laddered into a program, says Camoson media rep Rodney Porter. “A learner could take a micro-credential on its own without enrolling in a program or getting a credential,” he says.

“Usually, for micro-credentials, the emphasis is on short duration, competency-based learning that is aligned with employer needs,” says Porter. For those courses, there is flexible delivery built around the learner.

Transfer courses:

A large proportion of Camosun students take courses without any formal program, with a goal to accumulate sufficient academic credits to transfer into programs at UVic, SFU, VIU, says Porter.

Part of the larger StrongerBC initiative:

Last month, on May 2, 2023, the B.C. Government announced the StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan, an initiative that sees a $480 million investment into the future of British Columbians. A portion of this funding is being allocated to the future skills grant, enabling eligible B.C. residents to access up to $3,500 for short-term skills training.

“Our StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan will make sure people can access training, seize on career opportunities and build a good life for themselves and their families,” says Andrew Mercier, Minister of State for Workforce Development. “This plan is supported by investments that will help more people learn the skills they need to succeed.”

Last year BC identified the need to fill up to 1 million jobs by 2030. This is part of addressing a significant population increase in BC — about 250,000 people moved to BC in 2021 and 2022, said Premier David Eby last month. “That’s the most newcomers we’ve seen from other provinces and other countries in 60 years,” he said during the Future Ready announcement in Vancouver on May 2.

Workforce of now and the future:

older worker, woman — Older people in the workplace reflect part of the diversity of society as a whole.

Skill development now helps build toward stronger employment futures.

Building up the workforce of the future is a key thrust of the Post-Secondary and Future Skills initiative to provide this funding through the post-secondary institutions. Older workers are also encouraged to participate in the skills training grant support.

Camosun College’s Professional Studies & Industry Training (ProSIT) has the largest number of eligible programs in the province. Offerings include Electric Vehicle Technology, Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation, Microsoft Office, and Film Production Assistant micro-credential courses, in addition to Hospital Unit Clerk and Applied Project Management certificate programs.

The future skills grant provides coverage for the cost of any these, as well as an additional 59 programs, at Camosun College.

Filling education gaps:

“This funding announcement is so great for our community and labour force,” says Michelle Brown, Director of ProSIT at Camosun. “This training is going to help people bridge the gaps in their education and help employers meet labour market demands. We can’t wait to welcome learners to our classrooms – virtually and in-person.”

michelle brown, camosun — Michelle Brown, Director, Camosun College’s Professional Studies & Industry Training (ProSIT). [LinkedIn]

This funding will allow British Columbians across all regions, professions, and life stages to access truly life-changing learning. To learn more about the funding and view the list of eligible study areas, visit COURSES ELIGIBLE FOR STRONGER BC GRANT.

The Nautical courses, in particular, may help fill gaps at BC Ferries where a labour shortage has, in recent years, impacted the optimum performance of the on-water transportation fleet.

Two campuses:

Established in 1971, Camosun is one of the largest colleges in British Columbia with two campuses in Saanich on the Traditional Territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. For over 50 years, Camosun has been delivering innovative, relevant and applied education, supporting communities, businesses and employers.

Camosun will also be offering some courses at a west shore location in downtown Langford starting September 2024.