Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour Pat Bell is asking the public to join in on a Twitter town hall to talk about skills training in B.C.

Why it matters:

The first two weeks of the Skills for BC engagement have shown that British Columbians are eager to be a part of the solution, to bring forward ideas that will help ensure that they, their children, and their grandchildren are first in line for the jobs that come from economic prosperity.

Since Premier Christy Clark posed the first Skills for B.C. question during Global BC's News Hour Nov. 1:

• More than 40,000 British Columbians have visited the BC Jobs Plan website.
• 2,170 connected to the discussion by liking the BC Jobs Plan Facebook page.
• 320 have shared their insights on how to best to move forward.

As examples, Heather thinks that we should be providing more skills-based training earlier in their K-12 educations. Brian thinks youth should have more access to dual credit programs and Loris thinks there should be funds available to help businesses integrate students that are seeking work experience while still completing skills programs.

The question for the #Skills4BC chat is simple - how do we take the ideas and themes that are being recommended and make them actions? For example, what needs to be done to:

• Rethink trades and technical education in B.C.'s elementary and high schools.
• Work with employers to encourage more investments in workplace training, recognizing the pressures businesses face-especially small businesses.
• Create paths for people to transition into trades or technical careers, no matter their age or background.

Details:

• The Twitter town hall is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. using Twitter hashtag: #skills4BC
• The Twitter town hall is being held in conjunction with an online discussion where Premier Christy Clark is asking British Columbians to help address five key challenges to building British Columbia's workforce. This online conversation is happening at: www.bcjobsplan.ca

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training
250 356-8177