Co-op students at the University of Fraser Valley will benefit from $75,000 in one-time funding, part of a $1.3-million announcement to 16 public post-secondary institutions 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.

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?

The Government of British Columbia is investing $6 million for the next generation of talent in tech research and business to support the recently announced #BCTECH strategy.

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.

Four public post-secondary institutions are partnering with seven Aboriginal communities in the Vancouver Island – B.C. Coast region to deliver programs that will help prepare 124 Aboriginal learners for jobs in the skilled trades and forestry.

Capilano University is partnering with the Lil’Wat Nation to deliver the Mt. Currie Aboriginal Sustainable Employment program that will help learners obtain industry certificates such as Occupational First Aid, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and Foodsafe.

The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), Okanagan College and the University of Victoria (UVic) and eleven Aboriginal communities in the region are creating six program partnerships that will help prepare 141 Aboriginal learners for a career in the skilled trades.