B.C. announces supports to help newcomers find jobs

Newcomers looking to work in B.C. are set to see more support, as the province has announced millions of dollars in funding to help immigrants find jobs.

In an announcement, Wednesday, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Sheila Malcolmson says $7 million in funding is slated to go to the Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IEC-BC).

“With this funding, more newcomers and immigrants will find good jobs, more employers will find skilled workers ready to join the workforce,” she said.

The council helps employers attract, hire and retain newcomers, Malcolmson notes.

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She adds that the funding is a further step in removing barriers for workers coming to the province.

“We’re working with trusted groups like the Immigrant Employment Council of BC to help people get the movement and skills training that they need to secure good jobs in a very hot labour market,” she said.

John Aldag, MP for Cloverdale-Langley City, adds the funding will help fill gaps in greatly needed areas.

“We’re currently seeing a severe labour shortage in British Columbia and across Canada in critical sectors like health care, in skilled trades, as well as in other demand sectors including tourism and hospitality, [and] in the tech sector. Immigrants have varying skill levels and come to Canada every day but face varying levels of difficulty in finding work,” he said.

“The funding announced today will help meet these needs bring skilled to bring skilled workers and industries facing labour shortages together.”

The province notes that with more than 900,000 new jobs headed to the province over the next few years, the funding will help both newcomers and employers.