Government is delivering on its commitment in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint to increase access and reduce waitlists for critical trades training seats by adding 272 seats at the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT). Seats will be available to students as early as September 2014.

The seats are aligned with the top 12 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) trades jobs that include welders, industrial electricians, ironworkers, crane operators and heavy duty equipment mechanics, and will support in-demand jobs needed in other industries.

BCIT will receive $1.35 million from the government of B.C., with $798,000 to fund the additional 272 seats and $553,000 in operating funds for minor equipment such as tools, a small steam boiler, welding equipment, threading machines and other training equipment to support trades students.

The 272 seats represent a 4% increase over the 6,739 seats funded at BCIT by the Industry Training Authority. The additional seats include:

• 32 steam/pipefitter apprenticeship seats.
• 32 welder foundation seats.
• 16 crane operator apprenticeship seats.
• 32 electrician foundation seats.
• 32 electrician apprenticeship seats.
• 32 ironworker apprenticeship seats.
• 16 heavy duty equipment mechanic foundation seats.
• 80 heavy duty equipment mechanic apprenticeship seats.

The additional seats will reduce wait times for these programs at BCIT. For example, the wait time for the heavy duty mechanic apprenticeship program will be reduced by 10 months.

Funding allocations are based on the most-recent labour market data, on consultations with institutions, the Industry Training Authority and the Province’s Labour Market Priorities Board, as well as institutions’ current waitlists and capacity to add training seats.

Government initially announced $6.6 million for critical trades seats as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint on April 29, 2014. Additional funding and seat allocations in public post-secondary institutions offering trades and technical training throughout the province will be made in the coming weeks.

A million job openings are expected in B.C. by 2022, with about 43% requiring college education or apprenticeship training. B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint lays out a comprehensive action plan to re-engineer education and training so British Columbia students and workers have the skills to be first in line for jobs in a growing economy. More information on B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint is available at: www.workbc.ca/skills

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Quotes:

Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk -

“We want British Columbians first in line for the one million job openings anticipated to open by 2022. These additional 272 seats at BC Institute of Technology will create greater opportunities for students to move from learners to earners.”

Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training Minister and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond -

“Our government’s Blueprint committed to delivering a trained workforce that will be ready for jobs in the Liquefied Natural Gas and other industries. A career in the trades provides the opportunity for long-term, well-paying jobs that strengthen our families and communities.”

Burnaby North MLA Richard T. Lee -

“BCIT is the province’s largest trades training institution and the placement of its graduates in our industries has been outstanding. These additional seats and funding to support students means that workers will have the skills needed to continue driving our economy.”

British Columbia Institute of Technology president Kathy Kinloch -

“The funding for critical trades seats will open up access to trades and skills training programs at BCIT for more students. This is a prime example of how BCIT is turning the government’s Blueprint into action - to ensure our economy has the skilled labour, when and where it needs it.”

BCIT vice-president, education, research and international Paul Dangerfield -

“BCIT is grateful for this contribution from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training. BCIT is one of the largest providers of trades training programs in Western Canada. This funding support will improve our ability to train and supply the skilled tradespeople needed to drive our economy forward.”

Industry Training Authority interim CEO Gary Herman -

“This funding will help ensure we are meeting the training needs for B.C.’s high-demand trades. ITA is committed to working with our partners in education, training and industry to respond quickly to support training needs and create a highly skilled workforce.”

Media Contacts:

Stacey McGaghey Jones
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400

Jocelyne Leszczynski
BCIT Media Relations Coordinator
604 250-9251
jleszczynski2@bcit.ca