Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond and Minister of Advanced Education Amrik Virk have issued the following statement in recognition of Skilled Trades and Technology Week, Nov. 4-10, 2013.

"Over the next decade there will be more than one million job openings in B.C., and over 40 per cent of these jobs will be in trades or technical occupations. Skilled Trades and Technology Week is a great reminder that all of us - government, employers, educators and parents - need to work together to ensure our youth have the skills required to be first in line for these jobs.

"The BC Jobs Plan and Skills and Training Plan are addressing this goal by investing more than $500 million annually to support employment and skills training programs throughout the province, as well over $100 million annually for trades training through the Industry Training Authority. British Columbians have a once-in-a-generation opportunity right now. Our goal is to make sure this opportunity translates into good jobs that strengthen families, communities and our economy.

"A career in the trades is a smart choice that provides British Columbians with a secure future through a rewarding, respected and well-paying career. We are encouraging more young people to consider the trades. We want them to think about it - and prepare for it - before they graduate high school.

"It's important to our future success and prosperity that we align skills training programs with economic opportunities when and where they happen to be in British Columbia. This means planning - and training - for jobs that do not even exist yet. We need young people to be flexible, and to go where the jobs are now or will be in the future. If they do that, it will mean good jobs and a paycheque in their back pocket."

Skilled Trades and Technology Week was created by Skills/Compétences Canada to raise awareness of skilled trades and technology careers among youth, their parents and the general public. For more information, call 877 754-5226 or visit: http://www.skillscanada.com

Media contacts:

Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

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