StrongerBC future skills grant

The StrongerBC future skills grant is open to British Columbians aged 19 years or older – regardless of financial need – and covers up to $3,500 per person for eligible skills training at public post-secondary institutions.

The grant will help learners access eligible short-term skills training to further their careers, upgrade their skills and enhance their productivity, giving them access to well-paid, high opportunity occupations.

Learn more about eligible costs, how to apply, and which OC courses and programs you can apply this funding to below!

Who Can Apply

The future skills grant is available to you if:

  • You are a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person entitled to study in Canada
  • You are a resident of BC and you currently live in BC
  • You are 19 years or older or you have graduated from high school by the time the course or program starts
  • You give Okanagan College consent to disclose learner and registration information to the Province of BC
  • You are not receiving duplicate or overlapping funding to cover the eligible costs (e.g. grants, loans, scholarships, or other funding that covers the same costs as the future skills grant)

You should also understand that:

  • The future skills grant benefits may have tax implications
  • The future skills grant is subject to a lifetime maximum of $3,500
  • If you are receiving any federal or provincial benefit, such as Employment Insurance (EI) or BC Employment Assistance (BCEA), you must seek approval from the appropriate government body before participating in a program
  • The amount of future skills grant funding you receive is subject to review and audit.

The future skills grant pays for:

  • A lifetime maximum of $3,500 inclusive of all eligible costs
  • Tuition
  • Mandatory fees
  • Program/course materials (e.g. textbooks, required program software, and tools)
  • Not eligible: childcare, living allowances, and transportation
Wine Sales

How to Apply

1)  Check your eligibility

The future skills grant is open to residents of B.C. Find out more about who can apply.

2) Choose your courses or program

Find a program or course that interests you and verify that the timing fits your schedule. See course offerings

3) Submit your application

Use the red Apply buttons for next steps. 

Certificate and Microcredential programs:
  1. Apply through EducationPlannerBC and submit a completed copy of the declaration form to OCfutureskillsgrant@okanagan.bc.ca  after applying.

  2. Admissions will email you within 3 business days with your application status.

Non-certificate and Industry Training courses:
  1. Create a Student Account if you do not already have one and write down your username or student ID (it will start with an X). You will need this to log in to your student account in the future.  

  2. Download the declaration form  below and submit a completed copy via email to OCfutureskillsgrant@okanagan.bc.ca.  

    1. Your OC ID number will be your X number from when you created your account  

    2. This form must be submitted and approved in order to be registered and receive funding.  

    3. In this email you must also indicate the course and section number you are interested in registering for.  

  3. Our staff will confirm your registration via email and will send you further instructions to prepare for your course. 

If you have any questions about this process, please Contact Us  

Declaration Form

FSG

Course Offerings

The following are offered between September and December 2023 and are eligible for future skills grant funding. The future skills grant pays for a lifetime maximum of $3,500 inclusive of all eligible costs. The future skills grant cost shown is inclusive of tuition, mandatory fees, and program materials. 

Please note: some programs have tuition and material fees greater than $3,500. You will be required to pay the difference between the future skills grant funding and total fees. 

2023 Offerings

Program or Course
Offered
Costs
Covered
Apply
Now

Air Brakes Endorsement Theory and Pre-Trip Inspection

$250

Apply

Authorized Inspectors Course

$464

Apply

AutoCAD Skills Certificate

$3,500

Closed

Basic Accounting Certificate

$892

Apply

Battery Electrical Vehicle Technology

$977

Apply

Boiler Basic Safety Awareness

$345

Apply

Bookkeeping Certificate

$1,855

Apply 

Closed for September start

Business Writing

$995

Ready in Winter 2024

Canada's Ozone Layer Protection Awareness Program

$275

Apply

Cross Connection Control - Backflow Preventer Tester's License

$1,009

Apply

Dental Office Administrative Assistant Certificate

$1,779

Closed

Facility Operator Course

$278

Apply

Field Safety Representative (FSR)

$499

Apply

Grant Writing

$995

Ready in Winter 2024

Graphic Design Essentials Microcredential

$1,622

Closed

Introduction to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice

$995

Ready in Winter 2024

Introduction to Microbrewing Regulation and Distribution

$995

Ready in Winter 2024

Landscape Horticulture Certificate

$1,642

                                    Closed

Medical Office Assistant Certificate

$3,500

Closed

Occupational Health and Safety Certificate

$3,500

Apply

Orthodontic Module

$1,795

Closed

Project Management Certificate

$3,500

Apply

Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum

$90

Apply

Science of Brewing

$995

Ready in Winter 2024

Trauma-Informed Practice*

*To be eligible for the future skills grant you must register in all four Trauma Informed Practice courses:

  1. Trauma Informed Practice Introduction
  2. Trauma and Wellness
  3. Trauma informed communication
  4. Applying Trauma Informed Practice

$995

    Apply

Contact Information

If you have any questions email: OCfutureskillsgrant@okanagan.bc.ca

This project was funded by the Government of Canada through the Province of British Columbia.