KAMLOOPS / WILLIAMS LAKE - Students at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) who want to learn a trade are getting a helping hand with close to $381,000 in one-time funding for 96 foundation seats in targeted trades training courses during 2013-14, Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk announced today.

The funding will support student spaces in the university's 'professional cook one' at each of the Kamloops and Williams Lake Campuses, as well as spaces in the 'parts-person program' and 'trowel trades, mason program' in Kamloops.

A portion of the funding will support a trades discovery program on a limited-pilot basis. This will provide 36 students with the opportunity to explore career options in trades and help them progress onto foundation skills and apprenticeship programs.

Foundation training programs provide students with the basic knowledge and skills needed for entry into a particular occupation. Students receive credit for the first-level apprenticeship training in a specific field by the Industry Training Authority once they have successfully completed the foundation program.

The funding is part of an overall $1.8 million for 456 student spaces in 2013-14 at 10 public post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia and is over and above the funding that public post-secondary institutions will receive from the ITA in 2013-14 for foundation spaces.

This is the sixth year that the provincial government has provided targeted foundation skills funding. From 2008-09 to 2013-14 the total funding for foundation skills programming is $10.3 million.

Quotes:

Todd Stone, MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson, on behalf of Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk -

"Our investment in trades training foundation seats at TRU's main Kamloops campus and in the introductory trades discovery program demonstrates that our government is focused on ensuring the right training is available in the right places at the right time."

Donna Barnett, MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin -

"High-quality trades training is vital to the prosperity of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Chilcotin. I'm delighted with this investment, which demonstrates our government's commitment to making sure that the programs available to students match regional employers need."

Alan Shaver, Thompson Rivers University president and vice-chancellor -

"With the large increase in applications to our trades programs, the ministry's commitment towards trades training is very much appreciated. TRU has a long history of excellence in preparing youth and adult learners for career success in British Columbia. Investment in these additional training spaces will help ensure our province has the excellent skilled trades graduates needed to meet the growing demands of industry."

Learn More:

For more information on the BC Jobs Plan and Skills Training Plan: www.bcjobsplan.ca/skills/bc-skills-and-training-plan/

Media Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400