In 2014, as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, the Province invested $6.8 million to fund an additional 1,424 critical trades seats at 14 public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.

In 2015, these new critical trades seats will be coming online, making it even easier for individuals to get the training for in-demand jobs.

Careers in construction and other trades offer good wages, benefits and job satisfaction. The additional trades seats have significantly reduced wait lists. Students can begin their studies sooner and begin their new career quicker. The online trades seat finder instantly shows where available spaces are located. The trade seat finder is part of the Trades Training BC website.

The expanded BC Access Grant makes trades training more accessible for students in financial need. Eligible students may receive up to $16,400 in non-repayable funding to study in-demand foundation trades programs such as steamfitters, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, carpenters, welders and millwrights. These careers are just some of the top 60 in-demand jobs listed in B.C.’s 2022 Labour Market Outlook. For example, one individual named Safety Enofe received the full Access Grant amount of $16,400 to support him during his training in Northern Community College’s Power Engineering and Gas Processing program.

The additional trades training seats, the online trades training seat finder, and access to non-repayable funding through the BC Access Grant means students can more easily step into an in-demand career that can provide good wages and benefits for their family.

Why It Matters:

• There are expected be one million job openings in B.C. by 2022.
• Retirements are driving job openings across all occupations, while economic growth is boosting openings in occupations like skilled trades.
• Retirements are expected to result in 68% of job openings; the remaining 32% as a result of economic growth.
• More than 78% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, and 44% of job openings will be in the skilled trades and technical occupations.

Quotes:

Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson -

“A number of important changes were introduced last year to the post-secondary education system as part of B.C.’s Blueprint. This includes aligning funding to market labour needs, adding critical trades training seats, and targeting grants to support high-demand occupations. The work in 2014 is creating a strong foundation on which to build upon in 2015 so we continue to support students, employers and families throughout B.C.”

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training Shirley Bond -

“In 2014, we unveiled B.C.’s skills for Jobs Blueprint - a complete re-engineering of how we think about and invest in education and skills training in B.C. Through Blueprint action items like funding additional trades training seats, we are committed to expanding choice and supports for students. These initiatives will help us meet the labour demands of our growing economy. The better prepared our students are, the more successful they will be in finding meaningful jobs and careers.”

Listen to an audio clip of Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson: https://soundcloud.com/bcgov/minister-wilkinson-trades-training-and-future-jobs-december-2014/s-F2hXd

Learn More:

B.C.’s 2022 Labour Market Outlook: http://ow.ly/Eb79f

B.C.’s Trades Training Seat Finder: http://www.tradestrainingbc.ca/

B.C.’s Access Grant for labour market priorities: http://ow.ly/Eb7Xx

$16,400 Access Grant recipient Safety Enofe: http://www.bcbsides.ca/a-fresh-start/

Media Contacts:

Rodney Porter
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 889-7494