Delivering responsive post-secondary training for a changing workforce

At a time when workforce needs are changing rapidly, post-secondary institutions like Vancouver Community College (VCC) are evolving to meet shifting labour market demands. VCC's Partnership Development Office (PDO) plays a key role in this evolution by working with employers, government funders, and community partners to design responsive, rapid training projects based on real-world needs. PDO projects have several key features that contribute to successful training and employment outcomes. 

Customization
The projects offer customized training by combining existing VCC courses with supplementary curriculum that reflects the specific needs of learners and the workplace. Each project is individually structured to ensure that learning is relevant, accessible, and directly connected to employment outcomes required by funders and expected by employers. As a result, even short-term training can lead to long-term success, such as employment or further education. 

In the Early Childhood Education Assistant (ECEA) project, in partnership with Pacific Immigrant Resources Society (PIRS), immigrant and refugee women complete two VCC credit courses, Creative Art and Guiding & Caring, alongside specialized additional courses such as occupational language, Skills for Success, employability skills, and 80 hours of work placement. These additional components are not added as extras - they are intentionally designed to support learner success by integrating language development, confidence building, and workplace readiness into the overall learning experience. 

Partnership
Collaboration is central to how the PDO operates. Programs are co-designed with input from multiple partners to ensure that learning outcomes reflect real workplace expectations. Employers and employment service providers help identify the technical skills and competencies required. Community organizations contribute knowledge about learners’ experiences, strengths, and barriers. VCC instructors then translate this input into structured, supportive, and engaging learning experiences. 

Many community organizations choose to work with the PDO to deliver government-funded training contracts. The PDO has partnered with organizations such as Sources Community Resource Centres, MOSAIC, Latincouver, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, Métis Nation BC, Musqueam Nation, PICS, Pacific Immigrant Resources Society (PIRS), and YMCA. Each program is carefully designed to align with partner goals while also maintaining strong educational integrity and learner support. 

The Partnership Development Office collaborated with MOSAIC to offer Building Service Worker training for Spanish-speaking learners. MOSAIC provided English language and Essential Skills training, while VCC delivered the vocational training. 

Tuition-Free
What differentiates the PDO from other VCC departments is that all programs offered through the Partnership Development Office are tuition-free, funded through various government sources. This financial support reduces economic barriers to accessing education. Depending on the funding, learners may also have access to additional supports such as childcare and transportation. 

Sayo participated in the PDO’s healthcare-focused Supportive Care Assistant (SCA) training program through a national initiative developed by Colleges and Institutes Canada. This program was tuition-free and also offered a stipend to graduates who continued on to Healthcare Assistant training. Sayo now works a Healthcare Assistant.  

Wraparound Support
A defining feature of PDO programs is the level of support embedded in their design. Many learners face barriers to education and employment, so programs include dedicated advising, support with work placements, and connections to VCC services. This reflects a holistic approach that recognizes learning as both academic and relational, with the learner at the centre of the experience. 

 
In the Administrative Accounting and Bookkeeping program, the PDO’s Client Engagement Specialist, Lina (centre middle), works closely with students to provide advising and referrals to VCC and community services, ensuring that students feel supported.   

At its core, the Partnership Development Office is not just delivering training - it is designing learning experiences that create real opportunities. By aligning curriculum with workforce needs and supporting learners throughout their journey, the PDO helps individuals move into meaningful employment while strengthening communities and industries. 
 
To learn more about how your organization can partner with VCC on customized training and other educational initiatives, contact the Partnership Development Office at partnership@vcc.ca.