StrongerBC future skills grant

Grant applications now open

for Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 programs

 

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.

WorkBC future skills guidelines

FSG

Who Can Apply

The StrongerBC 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 StrongerBC future skills grant benefits may have tax implications
  • The StrongerBC 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 StrongerBC future skills grant funding you receive is subject to review and audit.
  • The overall funding available for Okanagan College students is limited and we encourage you to apply for the the program of your choice and the StrongerBC future skills grant as soon as possible.

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

Complete the instructions below to apply for funded Certificate Programs and Microcredentials or Industry Training courses. Once you complete all the required steps for your chosen program type, the OC future skills grant team will contact you within 10 business days on the status of your grant application.

Certificate Programs and Microcredentials (see list below):

  1. Confirm your eligibility and choose from one of Okanagan College’s eligible certificate or microcredential programs.
  2. Apply for admission to the program through EducationPlannerBC.
  3. Apply for the StrongerBC future skills grant online using your BC Services Card Account here: Log in - Future Skills Grant
  4. Once you have received an offer of admissions to your program, sign in to your myOkanagan account and accept your offer.

Industry Training courses (see list below):

  1. Confirm your eligibility and choose from one of Okanagan College’s eligible courses.
  2. Create a Student Account on the InspirEd Continuing Studies and Corporate Training website if you do not already have one. 
    • You are not required to register for the course during this step. If you receive funding, the grant team will process your registration on your behalf.
  3. Apply for the StrongerBC future skills grant online using your BC Services Card Account here: Log in - Future Skills Grant
  4. Complete and submit the course selection form to the grant team inbox.
     
Student in a hat and jacket sitting at a table, smiling while facing another student sitting in the foreground with their back to the camera.

Eligible programs

Certificate Programs and Microcredentials

ProgramTotal CostAmount Eligible for Funding
3D Modeling and Remote Sensing in GIS Microcredential$1,746$1,746
Advanced GIS Microcredential$2,370$2,340
AutoCAD Skills Certificate$3,768$3,500
Dental Office Administrative Assistant Certificate$1,857$1,857
GIS Database Management Microcredential$1,746$1,746
GIS Essentials Microcredential$3,046$3,046
IT User Support Microcredential$1,887$1,887
Landscape Horticulture Certificate$1,475$1,475
Practical Cybersecurity for IT Professionals Microcredential$2,522$2,522
Project Management Certificate$5,096$3,500
Trauma-Informed Practice Microcredential$1,066$1,066
Viticulture Certificate $3,998$3,500


Explore all our certificates and microcredentials
View the complete list of certificates and microcredentials we offer, including those not eligible for the StrongerBC future skills grant.

Industry Training

ProgramTotal CostAmount Eligible for Funding
Advanced Nursing Footcare $2,489.81  $2,489.81
Autobody & Collision Technician IP Refresher$599$599
Automotive Service Technician IP Refresher$699$699
Canada’s Ozone Layer Protection Awareness Program$275$275
Construction Electrician IP Refresher$999$999
Facility Operator Course$189$189
Gasfitter A IP Refresher$999$999
Gasfitter B IP Refresher$999$999
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician IP Refresher$399$399
Orthodontic Module$1,795$1,795
Provisional Prosthodontic Module$2,095$2,095
RACM IP Refresher$999$999
Sheet Metal Worker IP Refresher$799$799


Explore all Industry Training offerings
Visit our Industry Trades Training section to discover all available offerings, including those not eligible for the StrongerBC future skills grant.

Contact Information

If you have questions about StrongerBC future skills grant eligible programs and courses at Okanagan College, please email ocfutureskillsgrant@okanagan.bc.ca or connect with our Education Planning Team. 

Funding provided by the Province of British Columbia through the StrongerBC future skills grant.
Office of the Registrar
Address

1000 KLO Road
Kelowna BC V1Y 4X8
Canada

Phone
250-762-5445
1-877-755-2266 (toll-free)
Email
registrar@okanagan.bc.ca
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