As part of B.C.’s Blueprint, Thompson Rivers University (TRU) will receive funding for an additional 52 training spaces to increase access and help reduce waitlists for trades critical to the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and other industries.

The allocation is part of the $6.8 million announced earlier today to create 1,424 foundation and apprenticeship seats at 14 public post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia.

TRU will receive $265,000 to support the 52 seats that will be available to students as early as September 2014. Seats include:

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

Government announced an initial $6.6 million for critical trades seats as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. 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, and current waitlists, institutions’ 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 -

“We are ensuring that training decisions are driven by industry-validated data and up-to-date sector information so that British Columbians have the right training to achieve long-term, well-paying jobs in Liquefied Natural Gas and other industries. Our commitment in the Skills for Jobs Blueprint is to increase access and reduce waitlists for trades training that supports the needs of B.C.’s industry, employers, workers and families.”

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake -

“We want British Columbian students and workers to be first in line for job openings expected in the coming years. These 52 additional seats at Thompson Rivers University mean greater opportunities for students to get the skills they need to get ahead.”

Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone -

“The B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint committed to delivering a trained workforce that will be ready for jobs in a range of industries, including LNG. A career in the trades provides people the opportunity for long-term, well-paying jobs that strengthen our families and communities.”

TRU vice president Administration and Finance Matt Milovick -

“The ministry’s commitment towards increasing funding to reduce waitlists in these critical trades programs is very much appreciated. Thompson Rivers University has a long history of preparing youth and adult learners for career success in British Columbia. This investment is an important step to help ensure people learn what they need to improve their lives through employment and to help meet the demands of industry.”

Industry Training Authority interim chief operating officer Jeff Nugent -

“We are focused on meeting the training needs for B.C.’s high demand trades, and 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 throughout the province.”

Media Contacts:

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

Diana Skoglund
Media Relations and Communications
Manager
Thompson Rivers University
250 371-5897