Community Workforce Response Grant Participants

The Community Workforce Response Grant (CWRG) program gives money to communities and sectors to help British Columbians get the training they need to find a job. 

These are their stories. 

Skills Training for Economic Recovery

BC Care Providers Association received Community Workforce Response Grant funding through the Skills Training for Economic Recovery stream to provide 16 participants in Prince George with Health Care Assistant training at Discovery Community College.

The 36-week Health Care Assistant program provides students with the knowledge, skills training, and attitudes necessary to work effectively as front-line caregivers and respected members of the health care team. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to work in a variety of practice settings including home support, assisted living, residential/complex care, special care units, other home and community care settings, and acute care.

“I want to thank everyone who made this year an absolute success. I have always wanted to do more with myself but never had the courage, the time, or the funds to put myself through school. This past year has been incredibly fulfilling; I proved to myself that I could do anything I wanted. I made friends that I will cherish for the rest of my life, and I experienced things that changed me for the better. As soon as I finished school, I was able to find a job and immediately start working with seniors in my community. I will be forever grateful for this program, for giving me the courage and the supports to go to school and get educated in the field that I’ve wanted to join for a long time. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, to everyone who made this course a success and for changing my life.”

- Caroline

Workforce Shortages

The Piping Industry Apprenticeship Board partnered with PhilCan Driving School to deliver the Class 1 Driver with Air Brakes Training program to 20 participants in Terrace.

Students are trained in the orientation and operation of vehicles, professional driving, the laws, mountain operating procedures, how to identify the components of an air brake system, and more.

“I am very thankful for this opportunity to get my class 1 driver's license. I have been wanting to drive a truck since I was a kid. When I saw the posting, I jumped at the opportunity. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable, and they made the experience fun. I managed to finish the training in 36 hours and upon reading my results, the examiner said that I was a “natural born trucker”, which made my day and the experience worth it.”

- Lyle

Emerging Priorities

A.W.A.R.E. (Assisting with Awareness Regarding Employment Society) partnered with Discovery Community College to deliver the Personal Support/ Mental Health Worker Dual Certificate program to 15 participants in Kelowna.

This 31-week program prepares participants to work in a variety of community and social service settings to offer support, services, and encouragement to people with mental health challenges.

“Taking the Community Mental Health/Personal Support Worker dual certificate course was an unexpected gift as I sought employment. This was one of the best choices of my life. The online format came with superb instruction and the class interaction was as impactful as the knowledge we learned. We bonded online, and finally met face-to-face in the First Aid course near the end. Rounding the circle, I did my practicum at the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society outreach centre. It was a great experience, and I hope to work there some day.”

- Darrin

Indigenous Communities

The Huu-ay-aht First Nations in Port Alberni received funding to provide the Coastal Forest Worker Certificate program to 16 participants through North Island College.

This training provided students with hands-on skills for a range of entry-level careers in the forestry industry. Subjects included silviculture, harvesting, occupational safety, surveying, timber cruising, grading, scaling, and overall resource management.

“I just graduated from high school last year, so when I found out about the Coastal Forest Worker program, I was immediately interested. I really liked the people who were in the class with me. An Elder and a few Huu-ay-aht Foresters and knowledge keepers did a cultural part of the program. My favourite parts of the course were the wildfire fighting, archaeology, and timber cruising. After the training was done, we had a graduation celebration at North Island College. This training gave me lots of confidence, lots of motivation. I didn’t ever see myself going to college. Now, I want to work towards the Forest Worker diploma."

- Ethan

Community Response

BC Care Providers Association partnered with Discovery Community College to deliver the Health Care Assistant Diploma program to 16 participants in Vernon. Students are trained in providing personal assistance and support services for a wide variety of medical clients, including elderly, injured, disabled, and chronically ill people.

“Thank you for your generosity in funding this Health Care Assistant program. I am very pleased that I am graduating and one step closer to my goal of becoming a certified Care Aide. By giving me this opportunity, you lightened my financial burden, which allowed me to focus more on the most important aspect of school: learning. Your generosity has inspired me to help others and I look forward to being able to give back to the community."

- Noelyn