B.C. spending $13.8 million on skills training and job matching programs

VICTORIA – The B.C. government says it will spend almost $14 million on new skills-training and job-matching programs.

Premier Christy Clark says $7 million in one-time funding will go to 19 post-secondary institutions to provide short-term training to meet labour needs in areas such as trades, forestry and mining.

She says another $6.8 million will be used to expand a program that matches workers with jobs in the construction industry.

Job Match has been running as a pilot program in northeast B.C., but Clark says it will be rolled out across the province in areas where the demand for construction jobs is the highest.

Job Match offers skills training, post-employment coaching and other support to help people get and keep construction jobs in their regions.

The program is a partnership with the B.C. Construction Association.