As part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, the College of the Rockies will receive funding for an additional 32 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.

The College of the Rockies will receive a total of $164,000 including $144,000 to support the additional seats that will be available as early as September 2014 and $20,000 in operating and equipment funding to support delivery of training programs. Additional seats include:

• 16 welder foundation seats.
• 16 welder apprenticeship 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.”

Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett -

“These 32 additional trades training seats at the College of the Rockies means greater opportunities for students to get the skills needed to get ahead. A career in the trades provides the opportunity for long-term, well-paying jobs that strengthen our families and communities.”

College of the Rockies president and CEO David Walls -

“The allocation of this funding is timely and appreciated. It provides College of the Rockies with the opportunity to increase access to training for welders, enabling more students to enter the program this fall, and to get started on their careers in this high-demand field.”

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
Government Communications & Public Engagement
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400

Darryl Schmidt
External Communications Coordinator
College of the Rockies
250 489-2751 ext. 3343