As part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, Vancouver Island public post-secondary institutions will receive funding for an additional 238 trades’ training spaces to increase access and reduce waitlists for trades critical to 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. Seats will be available to students as early as September 2014.

Camosun College will receive $423,000 to fund 90 critical trades seats. Seats include:

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

North Island College will receive a total of $149,000: $109,000 will fund 16 heavy-duty equipment mechanic foundation seats; and $40,000 in operating and equipment funding to support delivery of training programs.

Vancouver Island University will receive a total of $837,000: $727,000 for an additional 132 seats; and $110,000 in operating and equipment funding to support delivery of training programs. Seats include:

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

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.”

Comox Valley MLA Don McRae -

“With more than a million job openings expected in our province by 2022, we want British Columbian students and workers to be first in line. These additional 132 trades training seats at VIU will mean greater opportunities for long-term, well-paying jobs that strengthen our families and communities.”

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.”

Camosun College vice-president of strategic development Dr. Tom Roemer -

“This new funding is the welcome operational complement to the province's earlier investment of $30 million towards Camosun’s new trades complex. While this facility will provide a state-of-the-art venue, the funding of 90 additional critical trades seats will enable even more training activity. This means Camosun will continue to be on the forefront of trades education and innovation, contributing to a prosperous economy locally and throughout the province. With today's announcement, the province has shown its commitment to the Skills for Jobs Blueprint, and Camosun College is proud to be an integral part of this strategy.”

North Island College president John Bowman -

“We are working in innovative ways to ensure that our communities have access to first-class trades training and certification that is industry-driven and highly responsive to labour market needs. This funding will have a tremendous impact in our region, giving 16 waitlisted heavy duty mechanic foundation students access to training. It will provide local employers not only with a higher number of job-ready graduates, but also access to all four years of heavy duty apprenticeship training right here on the North Island.”

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

Karla Sandwith
Communications, Advancement & Planning
Camosun College
250 370-4235
250 508-4842 (cell)

Janina Stajic
Manager, Communications & Public Engagement
Vancouver Island University
250 740-6288
250 618-2360 (cell)

Susan Auchterlonie
Director, College and Community Relations
North Island College
250 334-5271
250 898-4146 (cell)