As part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, Northern Lights College (NLC) will receive funding for an additional 75 training spaces to increase access and help reduce waitlists for trades critical to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry and in-demand trades.

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.

NLC will receive a total of $438,000 including $226,000 for the additional seats that will be available to students as early as September 2014 and $212,000 in operating and minor equipment funding such as tools, safety gear and rods and gas for welding to support delivery of training programs. The 75 seats at Northern Lights College include:

• 32 electrical apprenticeship seats.
• 16 welder foundation seats.
• 27 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.”

Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier -

“B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint outlined a comprehensive plan to deliver a well-trained workforce that will be ready for jobs in a range of industries such as Liquefied Natural Gas. A career in the trades provides the opportunity for British Columbians for long-term, well-paying jobs that strengthen our families and communities.”

Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm -

“We want British Columbian students and workers to be the first in line for job openings expected in the coming years. These additional 75 seats at Northern Lights College means more students will be able to get the skills they need to get ahead.”

Northern Lights College president Laurie Rancourt -

“This generous funding provided by the Ministry of Advanced Education will allow Northern Lights College to provide more of the high demand trades training that is required by the growing labour demand in northeast British Columbia. This training investment aligns very well with the recommendations put forward in the recently published Northeast Regional Workforce Training Plan and BC Natural Gas Workforce Strategy and Action Plan. As lead to the BC Centre of Training Excellence in Oil and Gas, NLC continues to work with our industry, education and community partners to monitor and respond to the most current trends in labour market demand. On behalf of NLC, we would like to thank the Government of British Columbia for this strategic investment.”

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

Brad Lyon
Executive Director
Communications and Community Relations
Northern Lights College
250 784-7589
250 219-3073 (cell)