Premier Christy Clark named UBC president Professor Santa Ono as her Chief Advisor of the Innovation Network designed to foster greater collaboration between public post-secondary institutions and innovation-driven industries.

Students at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) are benefitting from $250,000 in program and equipment funding as they prepare for in-demand careers in computer and information technology.

Vancouver communities will benefit from one-time targeted funding of $320,655 for Capilano University and $78,000 for Vancouver Community College to support adult-literacy programs.

Leaders from public post-secondary institutions and Aboriginal institutes of higher learning met to discuss how to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report Calls to Action within the public post-secondary education system in British Columbia.

Students who plan to chart a course for maritime careers in shipbuilding and ship repair will benefit from a further $150,000 in funding to support training programs at BCIT and Camosun College as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint.

Post-secondary institutions help equip young Canadians with the education and training they need for future careers that will help them join a strong, healthy middle class.

For a kid who grew up watching a lot of cartoons, it’s not surprising that Benson Shum (http://bensonshum.com/) first heard about Capilano University’s 2D Animation diploma on television. It was 1997 when the 17-year-old first saw a news profile on the fledgling animation program. He told his parents, “I want to try that out!”

When Graeme, a member of the Gitxsan Nation, was younger, he struggled in high school and didn’t believe he’d ever make it to university. His family and aunt, Shirley Joseph, believed otherwise. She was the Aboriginal Coordinator for Langara at the time, and encouraged him to enroll at Vancouver Community College and then Langara to begin his post-secondary studies.

Capilano University (Cap U) will provide Aboriginal students with tangible skills for teaching language in communities through a language and culture program. Vancouver Community College (VCC) will provide the gateway to careers program to help Aboriginal students develop, set and reach educational and career goals.