Skilled trades students in the Peace River South, Peace River North and Fort Nelson school districts will benefit from a three-year, $15-million investment by the B.C. government to support youth trades programs with the purchase of new trades training equipment.

One year ago, the Peace Region was in the global spotlight when the Tumbler Ridge Geopark was given an official UNESCO Geopark designation.

Three school districts in the region will receive a combined $70,000 in funding for the Youth Work in Trades program to boost trades training for young people.

The British Columbia government announced an investment of $1.9 million in Northern Lights College for skills training in high-priority trades seats.

Young people considering what skills they will need for tomorrow’s in-demand occupations will have an opportunity for interactive, hands-on experience at WorkBC’s Find Your Fit tour stop in Dawson Creek, as part of the summer Dawson Creek Exhibition and Stampede.

More than 60 representatives from area organizations, Aboriginal communities, post-secondary institutions, employers, labour and others took part in a Regional Workforce Table open house forum for B.C.'s northeast region Feb. 10.