Student Stories

The StrongerBC future skills grant played a key role in motivating her to join the program, says Harla:

“Financial barriers are significant for many young Canadians, especially given the current economic climate. However, this grant has helped me get closer to my education and career goals without encountering excessive financial constraints.” 

Without the grant, Harla admits, she might have put off pursuing the certificate program altogether. “Which makes me sad to even think about,” she adds. 

The StrongerBC future skills grant has allowed her to commit to the full program instead of taking one course at a time. “The future skills grant was the only reason I was able to take this program at this time in my life,” says Michelle. “This grant is allowing me to upskill while working full time without having to add to my student debt. I am so grateful that this grant existed when I needed it. 

“I hope this grant continues to be offered and that the list of available programs grows, because accessible and affordable education is life-changing.” 

Before learning about the StrongerBC future skills grant, Jane says she could only afford a single course at a time. After two years, she had completed five courses.

The grant made it possible to complete another five courses, in less than four months. “I’m only three courses away from completion,” she says. “This has been an amazing shot in the arm for me.”  

Without the grant, says Jane, she might have abandoned the certificate altogether. “I’m not sure I’d get anywhere in the competitive world of editing without that certificate on my resume. But the grant got me a lot closer, a lot faster. I’m so grateful.”

“My in-laws do not speak any English,” she explains, so she always acts as an interpreter at healthcare visits. When Shuwei met a Cantonese interpreter during a hospital appointment, she realized it was a job that would suit her.

The StrongerBC future skills grant has impacted her life in a significant way, says Shuwei: “It is very challenging for people like me to get back to work, with no relevant training in Canada and no work experience for so long. The grant encouraged me to take my first step back into society by being involved in this SFU program.

“I’ll be able to find a career that is meaningful and could be helpful for many people. Without the grant, I might not have considered taking courses and choosing this path to be an interpreter, because of financial considerations.”

For Laura, the StrongerBC future skills grant gave her the push she needed to “just do it.”

“Without the grant,” she says, “I would still be contemplating how to move forward with project management education. I have looked at these courses for years and never felt like I could justify spending the money to take the courses when life has so many other expenses.”

Her goal now is to complete the program within the next eight months. “The grant drove the cost down, making it affordable for me to take advantage of additional education.”

With her children now in school, she’s begun pursuing the Project Management Certificate, thanks to the StrongerBC future skills grant.

“The grant allowed me to start this program without having to sacrifice the needs of my family in terms of financial resources,” says Jennifer. “It allowed me to get started on this career goal much sooner than expected.”

Without the grant, she says, she would still be slowly saving up the tuition needed to join the program.

“My hope is that the Project Management program will provide me with solid foundational knowledge and help me with getting certified, so I can more easily transition into a project coordinator and then manager roles later on,” she says.