Applications Open for BC’s Future Skills Grant

July 3, 2026

• 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.

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