Trades students will have access to more training seats, thanks to government’s $6.8-million investment in critical trades seats for public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.

This funding was announced today at Vancouver Island University, as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint to increase training spaces and reduce wait times in trades critical to the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector and other industries.

The $6.8 million in funding will create 1,424 foundation and apprenticeship seats at 14 public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia as of September 2014.

The new seats are expected to reduce the top 12 LNG-related trades occupations waitlists by 37% overall. This means that student wait times will be reduced by an average of more than eight months. For example, wait times for the electrical program at Vancouver Island University and Northern Lights College will be reduced by 12 months.

Government initially announced $6.6 million for critical trades seats as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint on April 29, 2014. 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.

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

Quotes:

Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk -

“We promised to increase access to critical trades training seats for in-demand jobs and we are delivering on our commitment to ensure we have a skilled workforce. Throughout British Columbia, we are re-engineering education and training to turn learners into earners.”

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

“Our government is delivering on our commitment in the Blueprint to fund critical trades’ seats. Our strategic investment in a trained workforce that will be ready for jobs in the Liquefied Natural Gas and other industries means long-term, well-paying jobs that strengthen our families and communities.”

Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell -

“We want British Columbians to be first in line to take advantage of the one million new job openings expected in our province by 2022. These additional trades training seats at VIU, North Island and Camosun colleges will mean greater career opportunities for Vancouver Island students and workers.”

Industry Training Authority interim chief operating officer Jeff Nugent -

“We are focused on meeting the training needs for B.C.’s high demand trades. ITA is committed to working with our partners in industry, training, and education to respond quickly to ensure we have the right skills in place at the right time to create a highly skilled workforce across the province.”

Vancouver Island University president and vice-chancellor Dr. Ralph Nilson -

“Today’s announcement of funding for critical seats in trades training programs is an important step in realizing the vision outlined in the Skills for Jobs Blueprint. With a long and proud tradition of providing high-quality trades training to support the needs of industry, Vancouver Island University understands the importance of creating more opportunities for students in this area. That’s why we will continue to take on a leadership role, working with our industry and government partners to ensure we can meet their needs as well as create more access to trades training for students in our region.”

Media Contacts:

Stacey McGaghey Jones
Ministry of Advanced Education
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 952-6400

BACKGROUNDER

$6.8 million for critical trades seats

Adding 1,424 critical trades seats including 889 foundation and 535 apprenticeship seats at 14 public post-secondary institutions throughout the province will reduce the total LNG-critical trades waitlist by almost one-third.

Foundation seats are for pre-employment courses and typically run around nine months. While not a prerequisite for apprenticeships, they can help students become work-ready and more attractive to a prospective employer.

The $6.8 million supports foundation seats and apprenticeship seats and includes almost $1.2 million for minor operating cost requirements such as safety gear, space rental, minor tools and student equipment.

Here is a breakdown of seat and funding for the 14 public post-secondary institutions:

BCIT: 272 seats

Seat funding: $798,000
Operating funding $553,000
Total funding $1.35 million

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

Camosun College: 90 seats

Seat funding: $423,000

• 18 steam / pipefitter foundation seats
• 18 welder foundation seats
• 18 carpenter foundation seats
• 36 electrician foundation seats

College of New Caledonia: 56 seats

Seat funding: $96,000
Operating funding $47,000
Total funding $143,000

• 16 welder apprenticeship seats
• Eight crane operator apprenticeship seats
• 16 electrician apprenticeship seats
• 16 heavy-duty equipment mechanic apprenticeship seats

College of the Rockies: 32 seats

Seat funding: $144,000
Operating funding $20,000
Total funding $164,000

• 16 welder foundation seats
• 16 welder apprenticeship seats

Kwantlen Polytechnic University: 68 seats

Seat funding: $259,000

• 18 welder foundation seats
• 18 electrician foundation seats
• 32 electrician apprenticeship seats

North Island College: 16 seats

Seat funding: $109,000
Operating funding $40,000
Total funding $149,000

• 16 heavy-duty equipment mechanic foundation seats

Northern Lights College: 75 seats

Seat funding: $226,000
Operating funding $212,000
Total funding $438,000

• 32 electrician apprenticeship seats
• 16 welder foundation seats
• 27 welder apprenticeship seats

Northwest Community College: 100 seats

Seat funding: $387,000
Operating funding $98,000
Total funding $485,000

• 50 electrician foundation seats
• 32 electrician apprenticeship seats
• 18 heavy duty equipment mechanic foundation seats

Nicola Valley Institute of Technology

Seat funding: $69,000

• 16 steamfitter, pipefitter foundation seats (delivered in partnership with Okanagan College)

Okanagan College: 203 seats

Seat funding: $928,000

• 18 steam / pipefitter foundation seats
• 49 welder foundation seats
• 30 heavy equipment operator foundation seats
• 86 electrician foundation seats
• 20 heavy-duty equipment mechanic foundation seats

Selkirk College: 54 seats

Seat funding: $214,000
Operating funding $31,000
Total funding $245,000

• 18 welder foundation seats
• 16 electrician foundation seats
• 20 carpenter apprenticeship seats

Thompson Rivers University: 52 seats

Seat funding: $265,000

• 18 welder foundation seats
• 16 carpenter foundation seats
• 18 electrician foundation seats

University of the Fraser Valley: 194 seats

Seat funding: $807,000
Operating funding $65,000
Total funding $872,000

• 40 welder foundation seats
• 16 welder foundation seats
• 18 carpenter foundation seats
• 16 carpenter apprenticeship seats
• 54 electrician foundation seats
• 32 electrician apprenticeship seats
• 18 heavy-duty equipment mechanic foundation seats

Vancouver Community College: 64 seats

Seat funding: $171,000
Operating funding $8,000
Total funding $179,000

• 16 heavy-duty equipment mechanic foundation seats
• 48 heavy-duty equipment mechanic apprenticeship seats

Vancouver Island University: 132 seats

Seat funding: $727,000
Operating funding $110,000
Total funding $837,000

• 80 welder foundation seats
• 36 electrician foundation seats
• 16 heavy-duty equipment mechanic apprenticeship seats

Based on the most current labour market data, the top 12 LNG trades jobs are:

• Steam / pipefitters
• Welders
• Concrete finishers
• Carpenters
• Heavy equipment operators (excluding cranes)
• Gas fitters
• Crane operators
• Electricians
• Ironworkers
• Sheet metal workers
• Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
• Insulators

Media Contacts:

Stacey McGaghey Jones
Ministry of Advanced Education
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 952-6400