NDP MLAs for Courtenay-Comox Ronna-Rae Leonard and North Island Michele Babchuk say that people will benefit from tuition-free programs to help train for high-demand post-secondary programs and meet their career goals at North Island College (NIC).
“As the Comox Valley and North Island continue to welcome newcomers, we want to support them as they join our workforce and contribute their skills,” said Leonard. “By funding more tuition-free adult education and English language pathway courses, more people will be able to gain the skills and certifications they need to thrive in the community.”
NIC is receiving $200,000 of funding to offer Adult Basic Education and English Language Learning Pathways programs (ABE/ELL) in 2024 and 2025.
“This investment ensures that residents of North Island have better access to education that can open doors to more career opportunities in high-demand jobs," said Babchuk.
The program was launched in 2022 to provide tailored support for people who need upgrading to pursue in-demand jobs. For the 2024/25 year, the province is investing $3.5 million in one-time funding to support 22 pathways at 12 public post-secondary institutions and the Native Education College.
To learn more, visit news.gov.bc.ca/31124.