I would like to inform local employers that the new Canada Job Grant program is open for business in British Columbia.
The Canada Job Grant will provide up to $15,000 per person for training costs such as tuition and training materials (up to $10,000 from the federal government and $5,000 from employers) resulting in training that leads to guaranteed jobs for British Columbians.
For details on how to apply employers should visit www.workbc.ca/canadabcjobgrant.
The Canada Job Grant is part of the $65 million in funding the federal government will provide to BC through the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement and will compliment other skills training initiatives, including the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant that together makes $4,000 available to students who go through apprenticeship programs.
Over the next 10 years it is estimated that Canada will need 300,000 new workers in the construction sector, up to 150,000 new workers in the petroleum sector and 145,000 new workers in the mining sector.
In British Columbia alone, BuildForce Canada estimates that between 2013 and 2021, approximately 54,500 new workers will need to be recruited for the construction industry, while the Mining Industry Human Resources Council estimates that the BC mining industry will need to recruit over 10,000 workers by 2022.
Our Employment and Social Development Minister, Jason Kenney, is calling on employers, unions, educators and governments to work together in order to make a compelling case to young Canadians for a future in the skilled trades.
I know local institutes like Okanagan College are fully on board and I look forward to talking further with OC President Dr. Jim Hamilton about OC’s efforts when he visits Ottawa this week.
As parents we all want our children to get the education and support they need to find meaningful and gainful employment. As Minister Kenney has noted, training in the skilled trades is proving to be as valuable as going to university and getting an academic degree.
By encouraging young people to look to the skilled trades through programs like the Canada Job Grant, we are not only ensuring young Canadians find rewarding employment, we are ensuring that Canada’s productivity, competitiveness and continued economic growth remains on track.
Veterans Occupational Stress Injury Satellite Office to Open in Kelowna
I was pleased to learn that Kelowna has been chosen as one of the locations for a new satellite Operational Stress Injury (OSI) clinic to speed access to mental health services for those with mental health injuries.
This announcement is part of the Government of Canada’s recently announced expanded mental health initiatives for Veterans, serving military members, and their families. More information can be found at www.veterans.gc.ca .
Additional satellite offices will also be opened in St. John’s, Chicoutimi, Pembroke, Brockville, Victoria and Montreal, while a major new Operational Stress Clinic will open in Halifax.
VAC established its first operational stress injury clinic in 2002 and since then has added clinics to form a network of 10 specialized clinics across Canada.
While funded by VAC, all of the clinics are operated by provincial health authorities.
OSI clinics provide assessment, treatment, prevention and support to serving CAF members and Veterans. Educational programs as well as individual, couple and family counselling are also available.
OSI clinics also work closely with health care providers or organizations in the community to help ensure follow-up is available when needed.
Through collaborative efforts by the Department of National Defence (DND), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and Health Canada our Government continues to find and implement better ways to provide our Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans with access to care and treatment for mental illness and injury.
As always, I ask any Veteran in our riding of Kelowna-Lake Country who has any questions or needs assistance to contact my office at 250 470-5075 or at [email protected].
The Honourable Ron Cannan is the Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country and welcomes your feedback at [email protected]. Information on local announcements and federal government programs can be found at www.cannan.ca.
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.