The Province is supporting B.C.'s robust shipbuilding industry with a $550,000 investment to develop training strategies for workers within a new industry-led marine training centre, announced Premier Christy Clark today.

"This will give British Columbians the opportunity to seize the jobs in the marine industry - good solid jobs that support families," said Premier Clark. "The shipbuilding industry has been such an important part of our province's history. We are committed to supporting the industry so that jobs will be there for generations to come."

Programs will include skills development training for those new to trades, an upgrading program to help trade workers from other industries move into the marine sector and a supervisory training course for experienced workers. Funding will also be used to establish the centre's governance mechanism and provide initial management capacity.

"I'm pleased the Province has come forward to support ship builders at this important time for our industry," said George MacPherson, president of Marine Workers and Boilermakers Industrial Union, Local No. 1. "There is a strong need for B.C.'s shipbuilding and ship-repair industry to recruit and train new workers. This industry-led training program will help us keep marine jobs in B.C., where they belong. "

"Camosun College has a long-standing and proven track record with respect to supporting the training needs of the regional marine industry", said Camosun College President Kathryn Laurin. "We're excited to be a key partner in this innovative new industry-led initiative and applaud the Province for investing in the training needed for development of this key economic sector."

As with many other goods producing industries, marine-specific trade and occupations are facing aging workforces and will soon be in need of new and younger workers. A recent report has forecasted there will be more than 1,000 openings for B.C.-based shipbuilding production workers in 2013.

According to the report, if Seaspan Marine Corporation was to earn the Centre of Excellence designation for naval vessel construction though the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, this figure could jump to approximately direct and indirect 6,800 job openings. The Province is committed to awarding the funding for shipbuilding training regardless of the outcome of the $35-billion National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy competition.

"Seaspan is pleased to be involved in the development and construction of a new shipbuilding industry training centre," said Jonathan Whitworth, Chief Executive Officer of Seaspan Marine Corp. "Regardless of the outcome of the NSPS project, the partnership between Seaspan, the Province and the entire ship building community is committed to training future generations of ship builders."

"A strong maritime industry is vital to our province's ability to export its goods and commodities to overseas markets in Asia," said Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation. "This is a core area of our economy and I'm pleased to see so many partners working together to advance B.C.'s shipbuilding and ship repair industry."

The Resource Training Organization (RTO) of British Columbia will work with partners to establish an industry-led board of directors that will oversee the proposed training and research centre. The RTO was formed in 2007 to guide the development of standards and content of apprenticeship training in a range of sectors, including the shipbuilding and repair industry. The RTO is supported by the Industry Training Authority, the Crown agency responsible for managing and expanding BC's industry training and apprenticeship system.

"It is through the support of government that innovative partnerships are being created to help British Columbians prepare for the looming labour market challenges and to position our Province for long-term economic expansion," said Doug MacLaren, Chief Executive Officer, Resource Training Organization of British Columbia

The Province's funding for this project is being provided through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.

Contact:

Chris Olsen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 220-1640