Applications open for future skills grant

VICTORIA -

Summary

• Applications for the future skills grant for 2026-27 are open
• Since it launched in 2023, the future skills grant has funded more than 16,500 people throughout the province, saving families more than $40 million
• The grant provides up to $3,500 for eligible short-term training opportunities that help prepare people for careers in high-demand sectors aligned with the Province's Look West strategy

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Applications for the future skills grant are open for 2026-27, helping more people in British Columbia access affordable, short-term skills training and prepare for jobs.

"When British Columbians have access to affordable training, they have more opportunities to advance in their careers and contribute to B.C.'s growing economy," said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. "The future skills grant helps remove barriers so people can build the skills needed for in-demand jobs in sectors that support our Look West strategy and build B.C. strong."

Since launching in 2023, the future skills grant has supported more than 16,500 learners throughout the province. The program provides up to $3,500 for eligible short-term training at B.C.'s public post-secondary institutions, helping people build new skills, advance in their careers or transition into growing sectors.

"The StrongerBC future skills grant gave me the opportunity to take the BCIT construction operations program and improve my knowledge of the B.C. Building Code and construction industry practices," said Alireza Nikseresht, a BCIT student and grant recipient. "It was a great experience and has encouraged me to continue upgrading my skills and knowledge in the future."

The future skills grant is open to people 19 years and older who live in British Columbia. Learners can choose from more than 250 training programs that support provincial labour-market needs and prepare people for opportunities in sectors aligned with the Province's Look West strategy, including:

• clean energy, including training in clean-energy engineering, emissions management and forest health management
• construction, including construction management, electrical trades and mass-timber construction-related training
• health care, including health-care assistant, paramedic and nursing-related training
• mining, including mineral exploration, mining technology and environmental monitoring training
• maritime industry, including marine supply-chain management, naval architecture and marine technician training
• life sciences, including biology, biotechnology and biomedical engineering

"I joined the Applied AI for Health Care Professionals program to better understand how AI can be responsibly and effectively integrated into clinical practice," said Caroline Frankfurter, clinical informatics educator at Provincial Health Services Authority. "The Future Skills Grant made it possible for me to participate, and I gained practical insights into how AI can support decision making, education and workflow optimization in health care. This experience has strengthened my confidence in engaging with digital-health innovations and applying them in my role as a clinical informatics educator."

More than one million job openings are expected in British Columbia in the next decade. The future skills grant helps people prepare for these opportunities by reducing financial barriers to education and training, while supporting employers' need for skilled workers.

Aligned with the Province's Look West strategy, the grant supports workforce development in high-demand sectors that are critical to delivering major projects and supporting B.C.'s economic growth and resilience. By making skills training more affordable and accessible, the future skills grant helps ensure people in British Columbia are prepared for rewarding careers.

Quotes:

Nicole Neufeld, manager of continuing studies, University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) -

"UNBC is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the future skills grant initiative and appreciates the B.C. government's continued support for flexible, accessible programming in northern B.C. We have seen a positive increase in participation from first-generation post-secondary learners, along with stronger engagement from rural, remote and Indigenous communities. Many learners are using these programs as an accessible entry point into post-secondary education or as a pathway to new employment and career transitions."

Sean Elder, BCIT student and grant recipient -

"The StrongerBC future skills grant has been an amazing resource for me to access BCIT's further education courses. I have been able to develop skills that are directly applicable to my current role and that also prepare me to take on new challenges. I feel more confident in my role due to the knowledge I gained through courses funded by the grant."

Navneet Purba, portfolio manager, Fraser Health Authority -

"I joined the program to develop AI skills and gain a deeper understanding of how AI can support health care. The future skills grant facilitated this by covering the cost of training. Through the program, I gained practical knowledge of AI tools and applications. I believe these skills will allow me to improve workflows, support data-driven decision-making and contribute to innovation in health care."

Andrew Brindle, BCIT student and grant recipient -

"The future skills grant gave me the breathing room I needed to continue my education at BCIT without worrying about my finances. I completed my certificate and secured a new job a week later, debt free. This grant was immensely valuable and makes continuing education far less burdensome."

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