Co-op students throughout British Columbia will benefit from $1.3 million in one-time funding to the 16 public post-secondary institutions offering co-op education programs, following the launch of Co-op Week celebrations.

The Co-op Student of the Year awards recognize a B.C. or Yukon Co-op student who demonstrates an outstanding level of achievement in their co-operative education work placement experience; combined with a strong academic record, volunteer activities, and significant contributions to promoting co-operative education in their school and in the community.

B.C. public post-secondary institutions will have access to additional supports to address substance use thanks to a $400,000 investment from the Province for a project co-led by the University of Victoria's Centre for Addictions Research (CARBC) and the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division.

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson officially opened the 7,432-square-metre trades education facility at Camosun College that will provide students on Vancouver Island with more opportunities to train for in-demand careers.

Ever wonder what former post-secondary students are doing a couple of years after graduating?

Operating grants to public post-secondary education institutions continue to be aligned with education and training for in-demand occupations, with an additional $90 million targeted in 2015-16.

More than 30 Aboriginal communities in partnership with 14 public post-secondary education institutions are delivering education and skills training programs to help 581 Aboriginal learners secure jobs in sectors facing a demand for skilled workers.

An 18-month transition period is now over for post-secondary institutions in British Columbia to obtain the recognized quality-assurance designation, Education Quality Assurance, in order to host international students.

Looking for a career change? British Columbia is working to make a career in a skilled trade an easy choice in 2016.

Public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia have saved a total of more than $40 million over two years through the Administrative Service Delivery Transformation (ASDT) initiative.