Programs & Training

Skill Training for Employment (STFE) is an employment program that provides financial assistance to eligible individuals to help them obtain the skills training they need to re-enter the labour market. Click here for more information on the Skills Training for Employment Program

The Training Fee Support Program is a bursary-style program that promotes access to education or training that helps Columbia Basin residents adapt to meet employment needs. Residents can access up to $800 to help pay tuition or course fees for short-term training and for education essential to securing employment.

Who Can Apply:

Basin residents who are unemployed or under-employed may apply. Contact your local Employment Assistance Services Office for further details and eligibility criteria.

How To Apply:

This program is delivered through Employment Assistance Services Offices helping individuals prepare for, find, and maintain employment. Contact your local Employment Assistance Services Office to arrange an initial consultation with an employment counsellor.  In Nelson and area, visit Kootenay Career Development Society.

Deadline For Applications: This is a continuous intake program. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Kootenay Wage Subsidy is an employment program that helps individuals who are experiencing difficulty finding work, by providing temporary wage subsidies to assist employers to hire them. Normally, the subsidy will lead to permanent employment. Click here for more information on the Kootenay Wage Subsidy Program

These are paid work experience opportunities for the purposes of skill development arranged by a community organization and jointly funded by the Government of BC and the sponsoring organization. They always have an end date, and there is usually no possibility of ongoing employment with the hosting organization. Time spent on a JCP is not EI insurable; that is, you are not accumulating working hours for an EI claim. Job Creation Partnerships are beneficial for those who require on-the-job training or experience to meet their career goals. They may also provide you with a positive reference from a local employer. 

Job Creation Partnership opportunities are advertised through the Kootenay Career Development Society and local papers. To participate in a JCP, a Career Counsellor at Kootenay Career Development Society will assist you in screening and eligibility requirements.

The Smart Start Program & Self Employment Assistance Grants Program offers EI eligible individuals income benefits and training to help start a business. These programs are offered by Community Futures. To apply for any of these programs, it is necessary to see an employment counsellor at Kootenay Career Development Society for screening and eligibility requirements.

Self Employment Assistance ~ check into it today!

For more detailed Community Futures program information click here.