In its January budget, the Canadian government approved a C$1 billion (£560 million) boost to help workers retrain during the downturn.

CBC reports that this funding is being handed out as a complement to the existing C$1 billion Community Development Trust, which aims to engage local workers with local industries through training initiatives and other programmes.

Terry Tate, a forest worker coordinator for the George, British Columbia arm of United Steelworkers, said that the oil and gas industry in Canada could be one safe haven for workers who have lost their jobs and are looking to retrain in another sector.

"Lumber, plywood, pulp and paper, oil and gas are all depressed now, but the hope is that when they come out, they're going to be in a good position," he said, adding that there are C$8 billion worth of oil and gas projects in the pipeline.

The Community Development Trust was unveiled in January of last year as a support mechanism for workers who had been made redundant.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development