VICTORIA - The BC Jobs Plan has set a target to invest $25 billion in transportation infrastructure by 2020, creating up to 17,000 new jobs.

The Evergreen Line is expected to create 8,000 new direct and indirect jobs. By 2016, Seaspan's National Shipbuilding and Procurement Strategy (NSPS) contract is expected to result in more than 6,883 jobs - including direct jobs in the shipbuilding and repair sector, as well as employment in the metal plate and fabrication sector that serves the shipbuilding industry - and 7,605 direct and indirect jobs by 2020.

Here's how the government is supporting skills training for the transportation sector:

* A $1.9-billion investment in 2012-13 is supporting educational programs in British Columbia's post-secondary system. Institutions throughout B.C. work with provincial industries to ensure that students have access to programs at all levels, whether their career choices require trades certification or a professional degree.

• A $26-million investment since 2005 through the Industry Training Authority to support Industry Training Organizations (ITOs), such as the Transportation Career Development Association (TCDA), the ITO responsible for trades in the transportation sector. The TCDA is responsible for 12 active trades and almost 2,600 registered apprentices.
• $550,000 to support the launch of the Industrial Marine Training and Applied Research Centre (IMTARC), which will act as a one-stop shop to broker training services for the sector.
• The B.C. Shipbuilding and Repair Workforce Table was established to define the long-term human capital requirements for the sector and develop a workforce strategy that can be used to inform future training investments by industry and government. Funding for this Labour Market Partnerships (LMP) program is provided through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.
• Eligible employers that hire apprentices in the B.C. shipbuilding and ship repair industry can receive a refundable tax credit of 20 per cent of wages paid per year - up to $5,250 per eligible apprentice - in the first 24 months of an eligible apprenticeship program. These tax credits are 50 per cent larger for apprentices who are First Nations individuals or persons with disabilities.
• Through almost $1 million in funding, Employment Skills Access (ESA) programs related to the transportation sector provide eligible participants with tuition-free, group-based training at public, post-secondary institutions throughout the province to prepare them for entry or re-entry into jobs. Funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement (LMA), recent ESA transportation programs include:

Access to Transportation Trades - a 12-week program to train students for entrance into the transportation and warehousing industry. (Vancouver)

• Pre-Entry Nautical Training - a four-week program at Camosun College to provide common core training recommended by many marine industries for entry-level employment for commercial seafarers, including: Coast Guard, BC Ferries, whale watching and marine eco-tourism, charter operators, and commercial fishing. (Victoria)
• Professional Driver Class 1 - a 13-week program to provide training for tractor trailer long- and short-haul driving positions. The program includes six courses at Selkirk College and includes 425 hours of training. (Castlegar)
• Professional Driver Training Class 1 - a five-week program at Northwest Community College to provide the skills needed to gain employment in the transportation sector. A combination of in-class instruction and in-seat practical training including Essential Skills, Safety Certificates, and Airbrakes. (Terrace)
• Marine Operator Training - a three-week program at Vancouver Island University to provide the necessary skills to meet the standards of the marine industry and Transport Canada for the operation of commercial vessels (as outlined by Transport Canada regulations), and for employment in jobs with these requirements. (Powell River, Nanaimo, Cowichan).
• An LMP agreement with the BC Trucking Association provides $50,000 to undertake an attraction, recruitment and retention strategy, including the development of an inventory of existing trucking industry career awareness tools, resources and activities and a career awareness action plan using these existing tools.
• A Labour Market Sector Solutions agreement for $494,296 was signed with the Central Interior Loggers Association to train 30 people to become log or chip truck drivers and Heavy Equipment Operators in the transportation and harvesting sectors of the forest industry. This agreement was recently extended to train an additional 30 people for a total investment of $988,592.

The Canada-British Columbia LMA funds programs and services for people who are low-skilled and for individuals who are not eligible for Employment Insurance. As a direct result of federal LMA funding, thousands of British Columbians are receiving training that will advance their careers, assist in securing new employment and ultimately improve the social and economic outcomes of individuals in B.C. and Canada.

Quick Links:

The B.C. government is asking for ideas from citizens on building a skilled workforce. Contribute your ideas, comments or make a suggestion at: www.bcjobsplan.ca

Industry Training Authority: www.itabc.ca

Transportation Career Development Association: www.tcda.ca

WorkBC skills training programs: www.workbc.ca/Education-Training/Programs/Pages/Employment-Programs.aspx

Canada-British Columbia LMA information: www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/labourmarketagreement

Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 356-8177