Thompson-Okanagan
The British Columbia Labour Market Outlook estimates 76% of all job openings in the next 10 years will require some level of post-secondary education or skills training. The Thompson-Okanagan region is expected to have 121,900 job openings over the next decade.
The programs outlined below aim to assist individuals facing multiple barriers in gaining the skills needed to participate in the labour market, secure sustainable employment, or move on to further education or training that can benefit their lives.
More than 80% of participants achieve employment or pursue further education and training after completing a skills training program.
Accounting & Payroll Certificate for Multi-Barriered Persons Training Project
This certificate program takes place both in person and online over 23 weeks. It offers participants customized training, a job practicum, job search support and follow up services.
Training Locations:
- Virtual
Contact:
Insignia College or 778-695-7030
Acquiring Community-based Employment Skills (ACES)
Acquiring Community-based Employment Skills (ACES) provides certificate-based training, along with life skills, employment readiness workshop and job placements and support. It is offered in person and online, with group learning and individualized training plans.
Training Locations:
- Armstrong
- Barriere
- Cache Creek
- Kelowna
- Logan Lake
- Merritt
- Oliver
- Penticton
- Princeton
- Salmon Arm
Contact:
Connective, email or 604-872-5471
APT: A Person-centered and Tailored Skills to Work Program
APT is a skill training and paid practicum work program for entry in construction, hospitality, janitorial, and agriculture jobs. It includes work readiness education as well as hands on experience.
Training Locations:
- Kelowna
Contact:
John Howard Society Okanagan & Kootenay, email or phone Emma-Lynne Peterson at 250-575-2747 or email or phone Christine Allen at 250-864-0755
Building Connection to Employment for Multi-Barriered Individuals (BCEMI)
The Building Connection to Employment for Multi-Barriered Individuals (BCEMI) program is for recent immigrants, refugees and visible minorities with limited English-speaking skills, education, and job experience. It offers in-person and online and multilingual programming. Participants gain the foundational knowledge and skills needed to work in the retail or warehousing industry.
Training Locations:
- Virtual in Kamloops, Kelowna, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, Summerland, Vernon and West Bank
Contact:
Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society, email or 604-324-7733
Computer Skills for the Office Short Certificate Program for Immigrant and Racialized Women
This 34-week online Computer Skills for the Office Short Certificate Program for Immigrant and Racialized Women focuses on comprehensive skills and pre-employment training for entry or transition to office administrative positions.
Training Locations:
- Virtual
Contact:
Langara College, email or 604-218-8206
DeNovo
DeNovo assists participants in upgrading skills for employment in a high demand industry. It also provides supports as required for childcare, accommodations, and mental and emotional health. DeNovo is up to 12 weeks in length and offered in person, or blended (online and in person) as needed.
Training Locations:
- Kamloops
- Kelowna
- Pentiction
Contact:
Canadian Vocational Training Centre, email or 1-888-348-2207 or 1-250-596-1575
Employment Options (EO) for 55+
Employment Options helps individuals and newcomers to Canada aged 55+ find employment in transportation, warehouse logistics, security guard and other in-demand jobs. The program includes workshops, skills training, certifications and one-on-one assistance with job searches and self-employment as well as follow-up assistance.
Training Locations:
- Kamloops
- Kelowna
- Oliver
- Osoyoos
- Penticton
- Summerland
- Vernon
- Virtual
- West Bank
Contact:
Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society, email or 604-596-7722 ext. 130
FreshSTART: Skills Training and Readiness Training Employment Program
FreshSTART provides comprehensive support, including life skills/Skills for Success training, job search assistance, short-term certifications, financial support, community support navigation, advocacy, poverty reduction services, employment placement and follow-up, as well as personalized one-on-one coaching, tutoring and mentoring to overcome barriers and achieve program training/employment objectives.
Training Locations:
- Armstrong
- Kelowna
- Lake Country
- Okanagan Falls
- Oliver
- Peachland
- Pentiction
- Vernon
- West Kelowna
Contact:
Partners in Resources Inc., email or email or 250-762-3494
Future Educators and Health Professionals
The Future Educators and Health Professionals program provides participants with coursework and practicum training to obtain certification or diploma in health professions, including health care assistant-acute care (HCA), medical office assistant and Early Childhood Education Assistant (ECEA).
Training Locations:
- Across Thompson-Okanagan region
Contact:
Western Community College
Get BC Working!
Get BC Working! offers employment counselling, job entry skills, certificate training, paid work experience, mentoring and on-the-job support.
Training Locations:
- Province-wide
Contact:
Bowman Employment Services, email or 250-861-3100
Green Energy Trades Training Program
This 10-week hybrid training program provides participants with an industry recognized credential and the foundational knowledge and skills required to work in the green energy industry. It includes an on-the-job practicum, job search support and follow-up services.
Training Locations:
- Kamloops
- Kelowna
- Merritt
- Vernon
Contact:
ACE Community College, email or 604-603-ACE1 (2231)
Job Connect for Future (JCF)
Job Connect for Future (JCF) is a hybrid certificate skills training program with employment readiness coaching, paid work experience, free professional training and personal support. It is for immigrants, refugees and newcomers to Canada.
Training Locations:
- Kelowna
Contact:
OCCA Communities Association, email or 778-776-3886
Jobs in Demand: Industry Skills Training Employment Program for Multi-Barrier Individuals
Jobs in Demand is a hybrid, interactive group-based skills training program run over six to eight weeks that equips individuals for employment in office administration, social services, and skilled trades. It includes group workshops, online modules and employment supports.
Training Locations:
- Kamloops
- Kelowna
Contact:
Open Door Group
Jobs4All- Diverse Abilities
Jobs4All provides flexible group programming and personalized training to meet the needs of individuals with diverse abilities.
Training Locations:
- Kelowna
Contact:
Kelowna Community Resources, email or 250-763-8008
QWORKS
QWORKS is a 20-week skills training program with online classes and self-paced learning. Content is tailored to the experiences and needs of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. It includes one-on-one coaching, referrals to personal supports, employment placements and on-the-job training.
Training Locations:
- B.C.-wide, including First Nations communities
Contact:
ETHOS Career Management Group Ltd., email or 1-877-714-0471 or 250-741-8116
RISE: Jobs in Demand: Skills Training for Employment Program for Survivors of Violence and/or Abuse
RISE Jobs In Demand delivers interactive skills training designed specifically for survivors of violence and abuse who are currently unemployed or underemployed. It offers a fully funded array of services, short-duration training, project-based labor market training, counseling and ongoing support.
Training Locations:
- Kamloops
Contact:
Open Door Group
Securit
Securit prepares individuals over the course of 12 weeks for a wide range of entry level positions in the security industry. It also provides supports as required for childcare, accommodations and mental and emotional health.
Training Locations:
- Kamloops
- Kelowna
Contact:
Canadian Vocational Training Centre, email or 1-888-348-2207 or 1-250-596-1575
StartUP Entrepreneurial Skills
StartUp is a 21-week entrepreneurial mindset program for people living with multiple barriers that offers training, coaching, and support for individuals to be successful.
Training Locations:
- Vernon
Contact:
Community Futures North Okanagan, email or 250-545-2215
STEPS to Training for Success
This 20-week program provides participants with multiple barriers one-to-one services which includes coaching, job attainment and job maintenance.
Training Locations:
- Kelowna
Contact:
Kelowna Community Resources, email or 250-763-8008
Supportive Care Assistant
Supportive Care Assistant is a six-week micro-credential training program, which provides participants with occupational certificates and a paid short-term work placement at a health care facility.
Training Locations:
- Enderby
- Kelowna
- Oliver
- Penticton
- Princeton
- Revelstoke
- Rutland
- Salmon Arm, Chase
- Sicamous
- Summerland
- Vernon
- West Kelowna
Contact:
Okanagan College, email or 250-762-5445, ext. 4967
Training for Jobs: Navigate
This job search and training program combines one-to-one job coaching and group sessions. It features career exploration, certificate training, job search skills and supports, specialized group workshops for older workers 55+ and expertise assisting newcomers to Canada.
Training Locations:
- Enderby
- Vernon
- Virtual
Contact:
NexusBC Community Resource Centre, email or 250-545-0858
Training4Jobs “T4J”
Training4Jobs provides personalized and self-paced skills training for employment readiness. Supports are customized based on individual needs.
Training Locations:
- Kamloops
- Kelowna
- Virtual
Contact:
Kopar Administration Ltd.
Wildland Firefighting and Silviculture Training (WFST)
The eight-week program introduces participants to a variety of possible career paths in the natural resource sector through a combination of classroom and hands-on instruction. Covering 16 valuable industry certifications, participants will gain the skills, support and connections to launch a career in wildland firefighting, or other field-based forestry roles.
Training Locations:
- Kamloops
Contact:
Stillwater Consulting Ltd, email
YMCA ECE-A Training Program
This step-by-step training program offers participants support to register and meet requirements for entry into a Designated Educational Institutions’ Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) training course, as well as hands-on support to complete coursework and certification. It includes individual employment services and supports, group-based skills training and workforce connections for entry into front-line positions at licensed child care facilities.
Training Locations:
- Penticton
- Summerland
Contact:
YMCA of Southern Interior BC (YMCA Okanagan), email or 250-486-8327
YMCA SAFE (Support and Finding Employment) Program
This YMCA program provides employability and skills training, as well as child care and wellness supports for up to 30 months. It is geared to woman who have experienced addictions, abuse, sexual exploitation and/or mental health challenges.
Training Locations:
- Kelowna
Contact:
YMCA of Southern Interior BC (YMCA Okanagan), email or 250-861-5627
Youth Breakthrough to Employment and Training (YBEAT) Program
Youth Breakthrough to Employment and Training (YBEAT) offers participants experiencing mental- health barriers one-on-one coaching, training, and supports for groceries, transportation, clothing and mental wellness.
Training Locations:
- Ashcroft
- Cache Creek
- Chase
- Lytton
- Merritt
Contact:
YMCA BC, email or 236-522-1277
This project is funded by the Government of B.C. through the Future Ready Action Plan and the Government of Canada.
