BC Budget 2023 contains new support for Future Ready Plan, short-term training programs

The Government of British Columbia released its Budget 2023 this week. The budget’s main priorities include health and mental-health care, affordable housing, a clean economy, and addressing inflation costs. The budget also includes support for the Future Ready Plan, which seeks “to make postsecondary education and skills training more affordable and accessible” and help address the province’s need for skilled workers. BC states that the investment will add thousands of training seats to the postsecondary system and create a new grant for short-term training programs. The province has also announced funding to bolster the province’s health care workforce with new training seats and the creation of more financial supports for postsecondary students. The BC Association of Institutes and Universities issued a statement praising the budget’s commitment to reducing financial barriers for students.