College offers skill development opportunities for job seekers

Okanagan College Media Release

A series of subsidized skills training opportunities for local job-seekers interested in preparing to re-enter the labour force will kick off this fall across the Okanagan College region through the Employment Skills Access program (ESA).

The ESA is designed to provide affordable access to skills training for individuals who are unemployed, non-Employment Insurance clients looking to acquire new skills to meet labour market needs in a variety of industries including hospitality, tourism, business, finance and administration, to name a few.

Okanagan College will offer programming to help eligible applicants build career paths into long-term employment.

“This training is a great opportunity to increase your competitive advantage by improving your skills in areas targeted by today’s employers,” said Lorrie Forde, program administrator at Okanagan College. “Past participants report the support they received from expert facilitators and amazing co-learners provided the confidence necessary to take advantage of new and challenging career opportunities.”

Programs that will be offered this fall include Landscape Horticulture and Golf Course Maintenance, Seven Weeks of Certificates (designed for employment in the Oil & Gas industry), Management Skills for Supervisors, and FastTrack to Office (Office Administration).

Training dates are staggered across the region and some begin this fall. Eligibility for the subsidized training is determined on a case-by-case basis. Contact Okanagan College for information on program dates, descriptions and eligibility: [email protected] or call 250-762-5445 ext. 4870.