Students in B.C. are celebrating four years of free open textbooks and up to $2.3 million in savings through the B.C. Open Textbook Project.

Skilled trades students at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) will benefit from the purchase of new industry-standard trades equipment as part of a $187,000 investment by the Province.

Students at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) will benefit from $150,000 in funding toward an early childhood education program that will prepare them for a career working with children in their communities.

Students at Camosun College have saved over $115,000 since 2012 through the use of open textbooks that range from accounting to biology to trades titles.

Students in northwest British Columbia will be better equipped for the well-paying, jobs of today and tomorrow as a result of an $18.4-million investment to renew trades training facilities at Northwest Community College.

Trades students on Vancouver Island have access to new industry-standard equipment to ensure that they graduate with in-demand skills for jobs.

Canadians will be better equipped for the well-paying, middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow as a result of a $30-million investment in a new Industrial Training and Technology Centre at Thompson Rivers University.

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.

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson made the following statement in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Selkirk College:

Public post-secondary education institutions in the Thompson Okanagan and Kootenay region are preparing students for in-demand careers in a wide variety of sectors that support a growing and prosperous British Columbia economy.