The B.C. government has created over 3,000 seats for skills training in colleges and universities throughout the province with an $18.7-million investment.

Two tentative agreements have been reached under the Cooperative Gains Mandate between the University of Victoria and the Professional Employees Association (PEA), as well as between the University of British Columbia and CUPE Local 2950, Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology John Yap announced today.

Construction of the $15.4-million, 21-classroom replacement school for Sir James Douglas Elementary has reached its midway point on time and on budget.

More than 20,000 professionals throughout the province will receive training on addressing domestic violence as part of the B.C. government's action plan, released today, that outlines the steps to strengthen the response to domestic violence.

Students at Thompson Rivers University's law school will enjoy new, state-of-the-art lecture spaces and upgraded facilities through a provincial investment of up to $7.4 million.

Students at the University of Northern British Columbia will benefit from improved and upgraded campus facilities, thanks to over $582,000 in capital funding that is part of government's $44-million investment in B.C.'s post-secondary infrastructure this year.

The B.C. government is giving the University of Northern British Columbia's Community Development Institute $50,000 to continue research on economic diversification and ways to improve housing stability in rural and northern communities.