The Skills Centre provides free and low-cost skills training and employment programs. We will help you get the certifications you need, help with your resume and interview skills, and offer financial support while you learn.
Get started todayMedical Lab Assistant Training
Interested in a career as a medical lab assistant? In 2022 we piloted a program to train women ages 19-29 as medical lab assistants in 6 Kootenay and Boundary communities. This is a 10 to 12 month program. We're working to arrange future intakes.
Contact us today if you are interested in a future Medical Lab Assistant training program.


The Skills Centre is partnering with Interior Health and Thompson Rivers University to offer this training.
- The Medical Lab Assistant training will allow participants to obtain stable employment, earn a living wage, and fill essential job vacancies in our region.
- We’ll also provide soft skills and essential skills workshops to help participants prepare for job interviews and starting a new job.
- The program consists of five online theory courses, a five-day in-person workshop, and an 8 week clinical practicum in a hospital or laboratory. These components provide the theory, skills and certification required for participants to work as a Medical Lab Assistant.
Are you eligible for the Medical Lab Assistant training?
To be eligible for this program, you must:
- be a woman 19 – 29 years old
- be a Canadian Citizen; or a Permanent Resident; or Protected person entitled to work in Canada
- be living in B.C.
- have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- be unemployed, or employed part time, seasonally, casually, or precariously employed and seeking training to find a new job, prepare for changing job requirements or new job opportunities
- Participants cannot be enrolled in another federally or provincially funded training program at the same time.
- Participants currently receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, and those on Income Assistance (IA), are eligible to participate.

Inquire today
"I was very impressed with the level of service provided by the Skills Centre. I was able to find full-time employment in my field within a month of completion of my courses. I highly recommend taking advantage of what the Skills Centre has to offer."
Funding for our programs comes from multiple provincial and federal sources, including:
- Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills and the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Workforce Development Agreement
- The Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
- The Government of Canada’s Skills for Success Program
- The Government of Canada’s Social Development Partnerships Program


