South Island students taking auto mechanics at Victoria High school have a bright future ahead of them, thanks to an innovative program to be offered by the school in the new year.

Starting in February 2013, over an intensive 20-week period, 16 high school students will take the autoservice technician program. Successful students will receive secondary and post-secondary credits and Level 1 of their apprenticeship toward achieving certification as auto mechanics. This is the first time in the Greater Victoria school district that a post-secondary program is being offered onsite at the secondary level.

Education Minister Don McRae talked to students about the course as he toured Vic High's Fairey Technical Wing today. At the facility, about 350 students take courses like wood and metal work, auto mechanics, auto body, carpentry joinery and industrial design.

Skills and trades training is a key component of the BC Jobs Plan. Government has invested $75 million to improve training facilities and equipment, and to ensure the availability of technical education teachers, particularly with trades certification.

A new website, Discover Trades, has been created to promote trades and get more students into technical programs: http://www.discovertradesbc.ca/

During November, Premier Christy Clark is asking British Columbians to help address five key challenges to building British Columbia's workforce. The information can be found at: www.bcjobsplan.ca

Quotes:

Don McRae, Minister of Education -

"It's exciting to see so many students getting specialized instruction that will pave the way to a bright future in B.C.'s workforce. I hope students and their parents are looking at trades training as a great choice for a career."

Peg Orcherton, board chair, Greater Victoria school board -

"Fairey Technical Wing offers a wide range of real-world skills and trades training courses and is a vital part of the unique combination of academic, technical and performing arts programs that mark Vic High as a special school."

Quick Facts:

• Labour shortages for the trades sector are expected by as early as 2016.

• By 2020, workers in skilled trades will make up over 10 per cent of B.C.'s workforce.

• One of the goals of the BC Jobs Plan is to increase by 50 per cent the number of students going directly from high school to a trades or technical program.

• As part of the BC Jobs Plan, government is investing $75 million to improve training facilities and ensure the availability of technical teachers, particularly with trades certification.

Learn More:

Discover Trades: http://www.discovertradesbc.ca/

BC's Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca/

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

View photos of the announcement: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/sets/72157631970736220/

(flickr.com)

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963