Parents and teachers from school districts 61, 62, 63, 64 and 79 will have an opportunity to learn more about trades training and careers at a Discover Trades conference at Camosun College this Pro-D day Friday.

The conference will introduce trades to middle-school and high-school teachers and parents by offering hands-on activities in a variety of trades, including carpentry, metal work, electrical, plumbing, cooking, joinery, heavy-duty and automotive. In addition to gaining exposure to these skilled trades, they'll have opportunities to interact with professionals and students in each field and discuss career opportunities on southern Vancouver Island.

The conference will also include an introduction to Discover Trades BC and its website: www.discovertradesbc.ca

The website includes workbooks and resources for primary, middle and secondary teachers to use in getting more students excited about trades work. It also includes extensive resources and information for parents and students, including testimonials from students who have already chosen to pursue training in the trades, links to skills-assessment tools, career profiles, and secondary and post-secondary trades training programs.

Additional Discover Trades BC conferences will be held later this spring at public post-secondary institutions throughout the province, including College of the Rockies, Okanagan College, Vancouver Island University, Northwest Community College and Northern Lights College. Parents and teachers can get more information by contacting the institution in their area. These conferences are supported by government as part of a $1.2-million investment announced last November to help get more young people interested in the trades.

The Discover Trades program is led by Trades Training Consortium of B.C., a group of 14 public post-secondary institutions that promote trades training in B.C. to provide easy access to information to secondary students about the many opportunities available for trades training around the province.

Quotes:

Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology John Yap -

"We want educators, parents and young people to see that a life-long career in the trades is a very smart choice, offering a secure future in a rewarding, respected, skilled and well-paying career."

"Under the BC Jobs Plan, and as part of our Skills and Training Plan, we want to encourage more students in the K-to-12 system to be thinking about - and training for - careers in the trades."

Minister of Education Don McRae -

"The information that teachers and parents gather from this conference will provide a direct benefit to students because it will help students get introduced to skills and trades opportunities that can lead to challenging and rewarding careers."

"As part of our Skills and Training Plan, we're building connections between the K-to-12 system and post-secondary institutions, career training and career opportunities across British Columbia."

Trades Training BC chair Jim Reed -

"I want to thank the provincial government for providing the resources to make this Discover Trades conference possible."

"This unique event will allow parents and teachers to understand the training and career opportunities in the trades, and more importantly, to get some hands-on experiences that they can share with their kids and students to get them to consider careers in the trades."

Learn More:

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

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

The Industry Training Authority, visit: http://www.itabc.ca

Media Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology
250 952-6400
Dan.Gilmore@gov.bc.ca