Workforce Readiness Initiative
Last updated: July 13, 2026
About the Workforce Readiness Initiative
The B.C. Government’s Look West Strategy, Pillar one – Strengthening Our Workforce, focuses on investing in skills training to help build the workforce needed to support B.C.’s major projects over the next decade.
SkilledTradesBC is advancing this goal by investing in expanded capacity within the trades training system and strengthening support for apprentices across the province. Through improved access to training, enhanced pathways into the skilled trades, and stronger supports throughout the apprenticeship journey, SkilledTradesBC and its partners are helping to develop a resilient and highly skilled workforce.
Building on these efforts, SkilledTradesBC has established the Workforce Readiness Initiative (WRI). Delivered in collaboration with eligible partners, the WRI aims to strengthen the apprenticeship workforce and support B.C.’s economic growth.
What the WRI Funds
The WRI supports projects that:
Advance trades training in B.C.'s strategic economic sectors and major project areas
Improve apprenticeship progression, retention and completion outcomes
Strengthen capacity to deliver higher-quality, more accessible and expanded training opportunities, for Indigenous Peoples, rural and remote communities and equity-deserving groups
Support apprentices in overcoming barriers to completing their training
Enhance on-the-job training and apprenticeship pathways through partnerships between communities, training providers, unions and employers
Projects must include one or more of the following approaches:
Development of a new initiative
Improvement of an existing program or project
Eligible Applicants
SkilledTradesBC designated funded training providers including public post-secondary institutions, union-affiliated training schools and designated specialized training institutions
Organizations delivering Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) programs in B.C.
Eligible partners may collaborate on one project — one organization acts as the primary applicant. Organizations may submit more than one application for different projects.
How to Apply
Applications for the WRI are open June 15, 2026 and will be accepted until September 15, 2026 at 11:59pm PT.
This deadline applies to the first application intake for the WRI this financial year. Additional intakes may be scheduled later this financial year based on application volume and available funding.
STEP 1: | Review the WRI Application Process, Requirements and Priority Framework document |
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STEP 2: | Select the appropriate application form based on your proposed project funding amount. For Projects below $250,000: use this Application Form For Projects at $250,000 up to $3,000,000: use this Application Form |
STEP 3: | Download the application form and complete it using your desktop or laptop. Do not fill out your form in your web browser, as your information may not save properly. Once completed, submit the application by email to [email protected] SkilledTradesBC may request additional information during the review process to support assessment of proposals. |
Questions and Answers
No, the WRI is a standalone program managed by SkilledTradesBC.
The WRI is separate and distinct from the Training Plan Agreements, which remain subject to SkilledTradesBC’s regular annual planning, approval and monitoring framework.
Operational costs are available under the WRI to March 31, 2029. SkilledTradesBC is unable to make any commitments regarding future project funding beyond this date.
While the WRI allows for contributions and participation from other apprenticeship and trades training partners, an organization’s activities included in a WRI application must not have received funding, in whole or in part, from another federal or provincial government program for the same project scope.
Eligible organizations may receive WRI funding to increase seats in an existing trades training program only where the program aligns with the identified WRI priority area, High-demand trades, levels, or regions as outlined in Appendix A of the WRI Application Process, Requirements and Priority Framework.
Whether proposing a new initiative or enhancing an existing program or project, the project must align with one or more WRI priority areas and demonstrate how it will enhance training delivery and/or improve apprenticeship outcomes.
A new initiative is an activity that does not currently exist within the eligible applicant's organization. Examples may include developing instructor supports to prepare for training delivery in future industries such as clean energy or offering Red Seal refresher training in a trade or location where it is not currently available.
An improvement to an existing program or project enhances or expands an activity that is already being delivered. Examples may include updating curriculum to support the installation of new equipment or introducing training in a trade or region not currently offered and included in the WRI priority area, High-Demand Trades, Levels, or Regions (see Appendix A of the WRI Application Process, Requirements and Priority Framework)
Examples of activities that are not eligible include duplicating services already provided through existing programs, such as SkilledTradesBC Apprenticeship Advisors or Customer Service supports, or supports available through WorkBC.
Organizations are not eligible to receive WRI funding for activities that are already funded, in whole or in part, through another federal or provincial funding source for the same project scope. Participant-related costs are eligible only if they are directly linked to participant success and progression in the project. Additionally, projects must align with one or more WRI priority areas. Applicants should note that ongoing operational costs beyond March 31, 2029, are not eligible for WRI funding.
No. Activities already funded through SkilledTradesBC base funding and which form part of a Letter of Agreement are not eligible. However, eligible organizations may receive WRI funding to increase seats in an existing trades training program only in the identified WRI priority area, high-demand trades, levels, or regions, see Appendix A of the WRI Application Process, Requirements and Priority Framework.
No, new trades are not in scope. The WRI is focused on Skilled Trades Certification, Red Seal and/or BC priority trades included in Appendix A, high-demand trades, levels or regions of the WRI Application Process, Requirements and Priority Framework.
No.
Pre-employment programs must support a defined apprenticeship pathway, be linked to employment or improved apprenticeship outcomes, and align with at least one WRI priority area. In addition, organizations are not eligible to receive WRI funding for activities that are already funded, in whole or in part, through another federal or provincial funding source for the same project scope.
While employers are not eligible to apply directly for WRI funding, they are encouraged to partner with eligible organizations on WRI projects. Employers with project ideas or identified workforce needs are encouraged to reach out to eligible organizations to discuss potential opportunities for collaboration.
Becoming a SkilledTradesBC designated training provider is a separate process that requires time to complete and cannot be finalized before the current WRI application deadline of September 15, 2026.
Organizations that are not currently eligible to apply to the WRI, are encouraged to reach out to eligible organizations to discuss potential opportunities for collaboration.
No, only designated funded SkilledTradesBC training providers including public post-secondary institutions, union-affiliated training schools, designated specialized training institutions, and organizations delivering Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Programs in B.C. are eligible. SkilledTradesBC encourages designated, non-funded training providers to reach out to eligible organizations to discuss potential opportunities for collaboration.
No, as the process is competitive, SkilledTradesBC is unable to comment on an organization’s specific project during the proposal development stage.
SkilledTradesBC can only act as a partner on WRI projects once funding is awarded.
Application assessment is outlined in the WRI Application Process, Requirements and Priority Framework, section 1.10. In addition, and as noted in section 1.10, SkilledTradesBC will consider regional distribution and the overall balance of investments across the province when making final funding decisions.