Trade Builders Program

Attain Meaningful, Sustainable Employment through Skills Training

The Youth Trade Builder is a FREE program funded by the Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills which is intended to increase the labour force participation of young adults aged 16-29, who are generally employment ready. The Program is designed to support Participants over the weeks by exploring different programs, taking assessments and ultimately choosing a career path in developing and implementing an Occupational Training Plan and successfully completing the training and certification required to attain meaningful, sustainable employment or training.

The project is accessible by participants from across the Greater Vancouver area including Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody), Ridge-Meadows, and Richmond and open to all youth in BC.

Program Eligibility:

Be aged between 16 and 29
Be a Canadian Citizen, Convention Refugee or Permanent Resident
Be unemployed or underemployed
Not in full-time school

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Key Features:

Trades Career Exploration Training
Occupational Specific Training & Personalized Step-by-step Training Plan
Employment Readiness Training
Short-Term Skills Training
Entrepreneurial Mindset Training
Wrap-Around Supports
Financial Supports
Other Support

Program Benefits

Trades Courses:

Plumbing
Sprinkler Fitting/Stream Fitting
Electrician
Welding
HVAC
Machinist
Carpentry
Auto Body and Collision Technician
Baker/Cook
Hairstylist
Home Inspection/Builder
Aircraft Maintenance Technician

The program starts with Pre-Employment workshops which will be ONLINE then participants will receive an industry-specific training of their choice from either BCIT/KPU or another BC Institution for any Approved Courses

*Please note: All Trades will be covered*

In this program, We give:

Tuition/Training funding for approved courses
Daily Allowance for the duration of the workshop
Some funding available for tools and supplies related to your training or employment
Short-term training certificates including:

a) OFA: Occupational First Aid Level 1 with CPR

b) WHIMS: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems

c) Many other courses

Also, other wrap-around supports