Funding beyond in-house and the Employer Training Grant
Our funding overview covers in-house funding and the BC Employer Training Grant — both of which either come through us directly or need a sponsoring employer. This page is about the other side: public programs aimed at individuals, delivered through WorkBC and other government or community bodies, that don't require an employer to sponsor you.
We don't administer any of these programs ourselves — they're run by WorkBC, the province, or Indigenous and newcomer-serving organizations — but we help students figure out which ones are worth applying for, and how the timing fits around a Tricon start date.
Not sure where to start?
Call us before you assume none of this applies to you. We talk students through these routes every week. (778) 549-1727 — open 9am to 9pm, every day.
WorkBC Employment Services
WorkBC runs a province-wide network of Employment Services Centres that help British Columbians who are unemployed, underemployed, or looking to move into a higher-demand occupation. Commercial driving is a role the province has repeatedly flagged as facing a shortage, which makes Class 1 and Class 3 training a common fit for WorkBC-supported skills training.
- Free to access. WorkBC Employment Services Centres are publicly funded — there's no cost to meet with an employment advisor and discuss your options.
- Open to a wide range of situations, including people currently unemployed, working reduced hours, or wanting to move into a different, in-demand field.
- Case-managed, not a form you fill out alone — an advisor works with you to confirm eligibility and, where appropriate, connect training funding to a specific program and provider.
- Coverage and eligibility vary by individual assessment — WorkBC sets the terms, not us, so we can't quote a number here. Your advisor will confirm exactly what applies to you.
If you'd like to explore this route, your first step is contacting your nearest WorkBC Employment Services Centre directly — a quick web search for "WorkBC Employment Services Centre" plus your city will find the closest one. Once you have a sense of what you may qualify for, call us and we'll help you work out whether Class 1, Class 3, the air brake course, or something else fits what's been discussed.
Other funding routes worth knowing about
A few more programs come up regularly with our students, alongside WorkBC and the employer grants covered on our main funding page:
Indigenous Skills Training Development Fund
Dedicated training funding for Indigenous learners across British Columbia, typically delivered through Indigenous-governed service organizations rather than WorkBC directly. If you're a Band member or connected to an Indigenous employment and training organization, that's often the best first call.
Newcomer & settlement employment programs
Several immigrant and newcomer-serving organizations in the Lower Mainland run employment programs that can include skills-training support, particularly for occupations facing a labour shortage. A local settlement agency is usually the right starting point.
Community Workforce Response Grant
Provincial funding aimed at filling local labour-market skills gaps. Commercial driving has been a recurring priority occupation in the Lower Mainland and beyond — see our funding overview for how this fits alongside the other provincial grants.
Skill Enhancement Training Grant
Support for individuals training toward occupations B.C. has identified as in demand. Commercial trucking regularly qualifies — ask your WorkBC advisor or call us to check.
Rules and coverage change over time
Every program here is administered by a body other than Tricon, and eligibility, application windows and exact coverage can change. We'll always tell you honestly what we know and don't know — and point you to the right place to confirm the current details.
What affects what you qualify for
These are the factors that most often decide which of these routes is realistic — worth thinking about before you call your local WorkBC centre or us.
- Your current employment status. WorkBC and most of the programs above are aimed at people who are unemployed, underemployed, or changing occupations — not employer-sponsored training (that's the BC Employer Training Grant).
- Indigenous status, which opens up dedicated funding through Indigenous-governed training organizations.
- Newcomer or immigrant status, which may open up settlement-agency employment programs in addition to WorkBC.
- Which program you need. Class 1 MELT and Class 3 are the programs most often recognized as in-demand-occupation training; car lessons and standalone air brake training are less commonly covered.
- How soon you want to start. Government-funded routes generally involve an assessment and approval process, so timing can push a student toward combining this with in-house funding to avoid delaying a start date.
How to get started
Because these programs are run outside of Tricon, the process starts with the funding body, not with us — but we're glad to help once you know roughly what you're working with.
Contact WorkBC (or the relevant body)
Find your nearest WorkBC Employment Services Centre, Indigenous training organization, or settlement agency, and book an appointment to discuss your situation.
Get assessed
An advisor will confirm what you're eligible for and, where appropriate, help connect funding to a specific training program and provider.
Call us to line up training
Tell us which program has been discussed — Class 1, Class 3, air brake — and we'll confirm availability and how it fits your timeline.
Confirm your start date
If funding approval is still in progress, ask us about in-house funding to hold your seat rather than waiting on it to start.
Already spoken to WorkBC?
Call and tell us what's been discussed — we'll confirm the program fits and get you booked in.
WorkBC & other funding — frequently asked questions
Does Tricon administer WorkBC funding?
No. WorkBC, the province, and Indigenous and newcomer-serving organizations administer their own programs — we don't process applications or decide eligibility. We help students understand which routes might fit and how to line up training once funding is confirmed.
How much can WorkBC funding cover?
That's set by WorkBC based on an individual assessment, not by us — so we can't quote a number here. Your WorkBC employment advisor will confirm exactly what applies to your situation.
Do I need to be unemployed to qualify?
Not necessarily — WorkBC also supports people who are underemployed or looking to move into a higher-demand occupation. Eligibility is assessed individually, so the best way to know for sure is to speak with a WorkBC employment advisor directly.
What's the difference between this and the BC Employer Training Grant?
The BC Employer Training Grant requires a sponsoring employer or carrier and is applied for by that employer. WorkBC and the other routes on this page are aimed at individuals and don't need an employer at all.
Can I combine WorkBC funding with in-house funding?
Often, yes. In-house funding can hold your start date while a government assessment or approval is still in progress. Call us and we'll help you structure the timing.
Is there funding specifically for Indigenous students or newcomers?
Yes — the Indigenous Skills Training Development Fund and various newcomer/settlement employment programs exist alongside WorkBC. These are usually best accessed through Indigenous-governed training organizations or local settlement agencies rather than a general WorkBC centre — see the "other funding routes" section above.