VICTORIA - The Government of British Columbia today unveiled a comprehensive strategy to re-engineer B.C.’s education and apprenticeship systems, entitled “B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: Re-engineering Education and Training”.

The announcement was made at the B.C. Parliament Buildings in a celebration that brought together students, educators and employers to profile skilled trades that will soon be in high demand.

British Columbia currently invests more than $7.5 billion annually in education and training. Re-engineering B.C.’s education and training system means targeting more of these resources to meet labour market priorities. Beginning this fiscal year, over $160 million will be allocated to re-engineering education and training in B.C. In four years, this will reach nearly $400 million annually. And over the span of the Province’s 10 Year Plan, this represents about $3 billion redirected toward training for high-demand occupations.

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint lays out a major shift to a data-driven system where training dollars and programs are targeted to jobs in demand. This system will also be outcome focused. Success will be measured and funding and programs adjusted as the economy evolves.

The Blueprint delivers on the throne-speech promise to give young people a seamless path from school through to the workplace. Anchored by a strong emphasis on labour needs throughout the province, including those of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, B.C.’s Blueprint sets out three overarching objectives to maximize the potential of B.C.’s workforce:

1. A head-start to hands-on learning in our schools.
2. A shift in education and training to better match jobs in demand.
3. A stronger partnership with industry and labour to deliver training and apprenticeships.

These objectives are supported by key actions designed to put British Columbians first in line to fill the one million job openings expected by 2022. The plan also prioritizes the education and training needs of British Columbia’s Aboriginal people with the goal of significantly increasing their participation in the workforce.

As part of the launch of B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, government is also releasing the final results of the Industry Training Authority (ITA) review. The final report sets out a further 29 recommendations to strengthen B.C.’s trades training system and increase the number of apprentices and certified tradespeople in priority sectors like LNG.  

B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint will be implemented in partnership with government, education, industry, labour and Aboriginal stakeholders throughout the province.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

“Our Blueprint is also our commitment - a commitment to re-engineer our apprenticeship system through a refocused ITA, to deliver the skilled workforce B.C.’s growing LNG and other sectors need, and to create the opportunity for long-term, well-paying jobs that strengthen our families and communities.”

Amrik Virk, Minister of Advanced Education - 

“The shift aligning education and training to occupations that our economy needs is just one of the ways that our government is making sure that B.C. is ready and that our students and workers are first in line for B.C. jobs.”

“Transitioning from learning to earning is the goal for many students. We’re making sure this is a possibility by assisting students through the life cycle of their education and training.”

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education - 

“We want to give young British Columbians in our K-12 school system a head-start to hands-on learning. This includes giving students more hands-on learning experiences while in school and more apprenticeship opportunities in the workplace.”

“We’ll all benefit as more of today’s students pursue rewarding skilled trades and technology careers that will also help us better meet the labour needs of a growing and increasingly prosperous British Columbia.” 

Rich Coleman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development -

“We have an unprecedented opportunity to create jobs and economic growth by developing a liquefied natural gas export industry. We are taking action to ensure British Columbians have the skills they need to get jobs, while making sure industry has the workforce required to plan development without delay.”

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

“We want Aboriginal people to be part of the local, skilled labour force when it comes to filling the million job openings expected by 2022. B.C.’s Blueprint includes funding for community-based delivery of training to ensure that Aboriginal people are positioned to take advantage of those job openings.”

Quick Facts:

• By 2022, B.C. is expecting one million job openings in B.C created by retirements and our growing economy.
• More than 78% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, and 43% will needs skilled trades and technical workers.
• Based on a scenario with five LNG plants constructed in B.C. between 2015 and 2024, the LNG sector has the potential for $175 billion in industry investment over the next decade and up to 100,000 jobs (58,700 direct and indirect construction jobs, 23,800 permanent direct and indirect jobs for operations, and thousands more of induced jobs as a result of households having more income).
• At peak construction in 2018, the LNG sector will require 58,700 workers.

Learn More:

For more information on B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, visit: www.workbc.ca/skills

To find out more about the ITA review, visit: http://www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/ITA_Review/

To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan, visit: www.bcjobsplan.ca

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

BACKGROUNDER

Quotes

Susannah Pierce, general manager, LNG Canada -

“LNG Canada appreciates the government's vision and leadership in enhancing skills to employment training in the province. We look forward to continue to partner with the province, First Nations and local communities in skills training in B.C.”

Greg Kist, president at Pacific NorthWest LNG -

“Pacific NorthWest LNG will require skilled workers for construction and operations of our proposed facility. Time is of the essence, and we’re encouraged by the positive and meaningful steps being made by the Province of B.C. to expedite and enhance access to skills training for British Columbians who want to take part in the generational careers that projects like ours present.”

Laurie Sterritt CEO, Aboriginal Mentoring and Training Association (Previously Aboriginal Mining Association) - 

“This is a very ambitious undertaking for sure, and when fully implemented it will have a positive impact on people's ability to access trades training close to where the jobs are.  This goes a long way to reducing some of the barriers we face in delivering training to our Aboriginal clients, as well. I’m supportive of this enhanced and holistic approach to education and apprenticeships.”

John Winter, president, BC Chambers of Commerce -

“Our members live and work in the communities of B.C. that are experiencing unprecedented economic change and growth. They want to actively participate in and comment on how to meet their own skilled labour shortages. Expanding the network of ITA apprenticeship advisors will be a significant resource for local business. Increasing access to trades training through focused training in communities, e-learning and mobile trainers will increase the likelihood of small company participation in apprenticeship training. This will bring strength to the community and strength to their business.”

Manley McLachlan, BC Construction Association -

“With the new Jobs Blueprint the BCCA’s membership is looking for three things: Accountability, Action, and Outcomes. We believe that the provincial government shares these goals and we see today as the start of a new era. B.C. construction employers are going to be looking hard at the targets set by government, to make sure that they’re based on industry need and a real understanding of what’s coming. A system shake-up is a good thing only if it extends past the board rooms into good results in the classrooms and on the job sites.”

Jonathan Whitworth, Seaspan -

“With some ramp up time available to meet the impending labour shortages in the shipbuilding industry, we are confident that the new BC Skills for Jobs Blueprint: Re-engineering Education and Training plan will help meet the needs of our industry. We are keen to be involved in working with government, schools and post-secondary institutions to facilitate career awareness and exploration activities that puts a career in the marine industry at the top of youth’s career of choice. If we can do that we’ll be well set up for the long run.”

“The government is taking a proactive rather than reactive approach with the Blueprint. They will find out where the skills shortages are and then dedicate scarce public resources to where they are needed most. That’s exactly what businesses like my members do.”

Taylor Cross, Deputy Chief Counsellor, Haisla First Nation (Premier’s LNG working group) -

“Learning about trade’s careers and then finding an employer to apprentices with is hard for Aboriginal people, especially young people who live in remote areas of B.C. The revitalized trades training system includes a number of initiatives which establish positive actions to support aboriginal people’s engagement in the trades training system. Commitment to establish Aboriginal youth networks, fund community based training, and connect ITA Apprenticeship Advisors with Aboriginal communities increases the ability of Aboriginal people to access good, high paying skilled jobs in areas of high economic activity.”

Alan Dunlop, Chevron Canada’s vice president and general manager for the Kitimat LNG Project -

“On behalf of the Kitimat LNG Project, Chevron and Apache fully support the provincial government’s B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint to help build B.C.’s well-trained, job-ready workforce. Kitimat LNG will require this workforce to realize its potential as one of the largest energy-related capital investments in Canadian history; one that will provide well-paying jobs and many other economic benefits for decades to come.”

Ken Tourand, president, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology -

“NVIT is B.C.'s Aboriginal public post-secondary institution with students from over 70% of the 203 First Nations bands in the province. As an Aboriginal institute, NVIT is uniquely positioned to offer post-secondary programs that meet the education and training needs of Aboriginal people and communities, including trades training. Innovation such as our mobile trades training unit is one way that we are able to improve access to trades training by bringing training to Aboriginal students in their home communities, including rural and remote parts of the province.”

Kathy Kinloch, president of British Columbia Institute of Technology -

“The B.C. Blueprint fits with BCIT’s work towards the social and economic prosperity of our students, businesses and province. Refocusing the industry training system means collaboration and support on the part of all stakeholders. Changes are focused on outcomes that are evidence-based and demand-driven, while ensuring a role for industry and employers, including labour. We can grow our economy with all three pillars - K-12, post-secondary and industry - of the Blueprint working together.”

Paul Lacerte, Executive Director of the of BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres -

“Aboriginal people represent the fastest-growing youth population in British Columbia and with the proper supports they are poised to participate in the growing economy. Creating pathways that link Aboriginal youth, training and jobs is a good first step.”

Dave Betts, assistant superintendent, Sooke School District #62 -

“We support the goal of ensuring B.C. youth and workers are first in line for the jobs of the future. This plan will help students find their fit earlier and provide an important guide to helping students pursue a seamless education path from school to the workplace.”

Mark Fraser, assistant superintendent, Saanich School District #63 -

“We want all of our young people to share in the future prosperity of B.C. This new plan will help more young British Columbians find rewarding, well-paying jobs and take advantage of the many thousands of career options that are opening up in the trades and technology fields.” 

Kelly Betts, co-ordinator of the South Island Partnership, Camosun College and president of Skills Canada BC -

“Our students have tremendous potential in B.C.’s growing economy if they are given the opportunity and support they need to thrive. The B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint is a map to how we will get there — by encouraging  more students to take technical training through the ACE-IT program and graduate successfully, as well as building important partnerships between the K-12 school system, post-secondary institutions and industry.”

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

BACKGROUNDER

Refocusing the ITA

Our government committed to a complete review of the Industry Training Authority (ITA) as the Crown Corporation responsible for leading B.C.’s trades training system. That review, conducted by Jessica McDonald, is complete and was released today.

Consultations were conducted with trades training stakeholders throughout the fall of 2013 and the final report was submitted to government in February 2014. It sets out 29 recommendations to enhance and strengthen B.C.’s trades training system - all of which have been accepted by government and will be implemented as part of B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: Re-engineering Education and Training. 
 
B.C.’s trades training system is working. Today, B.C. has twice as many apprentices, and is issuing around three times as many credentials compared to 2004. But the ITA was created almost 10 years ago, and since then B.C.’s economy has changed considerably. 
 
Major shifts to the trades training system include:

• Ensuring a demand-driven system that will meet the needs of workers and employers.
• Unifying cross-government decision-making with funding allocated based on labour market information and workforce targets.
• The ITA board will be reconstituted as a strong leadership team to ensure stronger partnerships with industry and labour to deliver training and apprenticeships. The new board membership will be announced shortly.
• Holding the ITA and post-secondary institutions accountable for system results.
• Bringing the functions of Industry Training Organizations (ITOs) inside the ITA.
• Sector Advisory Councils established.

These shifts will in turn ensure:

• There is accountability in the system for outcomes that are evidence-based and demand driven.
• A high performing ITA with strong leadership.
• A meaningful role for industry and employers, including labour.
• An increased the supply of skilled trades people, in the right place, at the right time.

To view the complete McDonald Report, please visit: http://www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/ITA_Review/docs/ITA_Review_Final_Report.pdf

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

BACKGROUNDER

A stronger partnership with industry and labour to deliver training and apprenticeships

B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint will target skills training to high-demand occupations, remove barriers that limit labour mobility and increase the participation of industry and labour to build the most effective skills training system possible. Key actions include:

• Getting and using better data to drive key employment decisions.
• Refocusing the ITA to ensure B.C.’s trades training system is ready to meet worker demand.
• Increasing employer sponsors for apprenticeships by making it easier for employers to hire apprentices.
• Developing innovative solutions to make trades training work better through tools like mobile training facilities and in-camp training.
• Investing in connecting youth with the workplace by creating new tools aimed at attracting students to trades and technical careers.
• Creating more work-based training so that students are encouraged to apply their learning and acquire new employment-related skills in the workplace.
• Preparing and matching British Columbians with jobs by providing a range of employment services through WorkBC Employment Centres.
• Maximizing employer investment in the Canada Job Grant to support employer-driven skills training that leads to guaranteed jobs.
• Creating and formalizing the role for Sector Advisory Councils by involving them directly in decisions about training, equipment and facilities investments.
• Increasing the number of apprenticeships in high demand areas by providing additional funding for priority trades training programs.
• Improving apprenticeship completion rates by ensuring apprentices have the support they need to complete their training.
• Sharing equipment and facilities for training by encouraging post-secondary institutions, educators and industry to identify and maximize resources in their communities.
• Hiring more Apprenticeship Advisors to support employers and apprentices to successfully navigate B.C.’s trades training system.
• Working in partnership with the Government of Canada and maximizing the Canada Jobs Fund to provide skills training for British Columbians and to create a strong resource economy.
• Making it easier for workers to move between major projects by removing barriers that limit labour mobility.
• Looking at the best way to increase apprenticeship positions on public projects based on reviewing similar programs in Canada and internationally.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

BACKGROUNDER

Giving students a head-start to hands-on learning

The Ministry of Education is committed to expanding choices and supports for students in our K-12 system because we know the better prepared they are, the more successful they will be in finding meaningful jobs and careers.

Our Blueprint for action includes:

• Doubling the number of ACE-IT spaces to 5,000 over the next two years will not only increase student choices but also encourage more students to pursue skills and trades training.
• Expanding dual credits in our schools to get students trained quicker so they can move into post-secondary studies or the workplace faster with the skills they need.
• Reforming Grade 10-12 graduation requirements to allow personalized graduation plans so students have more options and have the skills as well as knowledge they need to better find the right fit after high school.
• Applied Skills Curriculum in grades K-9 should excite and prepare students for the full range of career options they can pursue after school, with more information about skilled trades and improved school district capacity to support as well as deliver these programs.
• More teachers qualified to teach skills foundation courses in high school through innovative ways to encourage teachers to upgrade their existing skills.
• Suggest making it faster and easier for qualified tradespeople to earn teaching certificates so they can use their work experience and skills to improve school programs.
• Increasing scholarships for skills training by 25% to help students facing financial barriers to skills training.
• Expand WorkBC website and web-tools to focus on youth, including a dedicated section which will feature success stories to show how young people can overcome the challenges of finding work and achieving job satisfaction.
• Providing students with the most current and accessible information on waitlists and vacant seats available in post-secondary institutions for programs for high-demand jobs.
• Informing students about the broadest range of career options from professional and management to skilled and semi-skilled technicians and trades.
• Informing and engaging parents, teachers and counselors about training and labour market information so they can help students make the right career choices.
• Involving education sector leaders in a skills outreach strategy, which will include the work of the new Superintendent of Careers and Student Transitions to support and promote skills and trades in the B.C. school system.
• Funding for apprenticeship trades ambassadors who will promote trade careers and provide first-hand information and examples to students in various schools and communities.
• Encouraging partnerships between school districts and industry using incentives and tool kits so they can create new programs for students to get into high-demand jobs.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

(flickr.com)

BACKGROUNDER

B.C. to shift education and training to better align with B.C. jobs

Aligning funding to training for high-demand occupations:

Currently, about 10% of provincial operating grants provided to public post-secondary institutions are targeted for medicine, nursing and other health related programs. Government plans to target an additional $40 million in 2014-15 of provincial operating grants to target high-demand occupations as well as programs for Aboriginal people, and programs for people with a disability.

By 2017-18, total targeted funding will be increased by $270 million annually to about 25% of operating grants. Funding may be redirected if institutions are unable to provide seats in high-demand areas.

Supporting students to study for jobs our economy needs:

Student financial assistance grant programs worth an estimated $40 million a year will be refocused to align with labour market priorities. A comprehensive suite of programs will target high-demand occupations by providing grants to encourage British Columbians to enrol in high-demand programs, complete their studies and work in under-served or designated communities.

The BC Access Grant for Labour Market Priorities will be expanded to provide up-front money to cover the costs of relocation for training and tools for students who enrol in targeted priority programs at specific public post-secondary institutions.

The BC Completion Grant will replace the Loan Reduction Program to better reflect the program’s purpose of rewarding students who complete a year of study in a program of two years or longer, with a focus on programs that are in high demand.

The Loan Forgiveness Program will also be refocused to make sure that it aligns with jobs that meet our economy needs. The program currently forgives 100% of the B.C. portion of a student’s loan over a three-year period when eligible graduates agree to work in an under-served or designated B.C. community.

Together, the BC Completion Grant, BC Access Grants and the BC Loan Forgiveness Programs will make it easier for students to get out of debt faster by reducing or forgiving their loans.

Increasing trades training seats:

Through the Ministry of Advanced Education, government is providing an additional $6.6 million this year for critical trades seats - a 10% increase over the current Industry Training Authority funding to public institutions. This funding will significantly reduce wait lists by adding spaces starting September 2014 for the jobs needed in our economy such as: heavy equipment operators, heavy-duty equipment mechanics and electricians.

Providing better information on training space availability:

The Ministry of Advanced Education will publish information online so students can see where training spaces are available rather than waiting for spaces to open up. Currently, high demand, particularly for foundation courses, at some institutions primarily in the Lower Mainland has resulted in lengthy wait lists while there are no wait lists at other institutions elsewhere in the province.

Investing in new and expanded trades training facilities and equipment:

Over the next three years, government will invest $185 million in trades and skills infrastructure and equipment projects. This includes a number of projects underway including the new Centre for Trades Education and Innovation at Camosun College and the trades expansion and renewal project at Okanagan College. A number of new capital projects throughout the province will be announced in the coming months.

Connecting Aboriginal people with post-secondary education and skills training:

Community-based skills training will focus on building partnerships between Aboriginal communities and public post-secondary institutions to increase access to employment-related training and education in Aboriginal communities. Funding will be available for programs to provide Aboriginal community members with post-secondary education and training in their communities that will lead to employment; support Aboriginal community needs and priorities, including responding to new economic opportunities and industry needs for a local skilled labour force; and provide recognized credentials or credits that are portable or transferable.

Supporting persons with disabilities to access trades and technical training:

Persons with disabilities may encounter unique challenges in accessing technical and trades training. Public post-secondary institutions will receive funding to pilot training and initiatives that can increase the success of persons with disabilities in programs with a high labour market demand.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

BACKGROUNDER

Expanding the Aboriginal Workforce and Increasing Aboriginal Training

Aboriginal British Columbians are the youngest and fastest-growing population group in the province. They represent a huge pool of new talent, and government will work with Aboriginal communities and organizations to significantly increase their participation in the workforce. The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation will guide the development of an approach to Aboriginal skills training, in conjunction with other provincial ministries, the federal government and Aboriginal partners.

This will include a focus on the LNG and mining sectors and gathering input from First Nations on barriers and best practices to help in the development and delivery of skills training programs for Aboriginal people. A comprehensive listing of programs and support services will be developed.

Government is reaching out to First Nations communities and Aboriginal groups to provide them with information on workforce opportunities and developing targeted labour market programming.

Government is working on a variety of fronts with the goal of increasing Aboriginal student training completion and transition to the workplace.  Over the next 10 years, we are aiming to have 15,000 more Aboriginal youth working across the province. Many of these young Aboriginal workers will work in Northern communities and directly or indirectly support LNG development.

Our Blueprint includes the following actions to reach these goals:

• Supporting skills training for urban Aboriginal people through the Off Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan.
• Establishing and supporting Aboriginal youth worker networks at the regional and provincial levels.
• Supporting and engaging Aboriginal youth to advise government on skills training programs and policies.
• Engaging the federal government to identify opportunities to partner and better align programs and services to support Aboriginal skills training.
• Capitalizing on opportunities to facilitate and coordinate broad sector engagement on socio-economic opportunities that support the Plan.
• Developing an approach to Aboriginal skills training in conjunction with provincial ministries, the federal government and Aboriginal partners.
• Working on LNG agreements with First Nations, which includes gathering information from First Nations on barriers and best practices, to then be shared across government to help in the development and delivery of skills training programs to communities.
• Working across government to ensure that that the approach to Aboriginal skills and training is informed by the research and feedback from Aboriginal people.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

BACKGROUNDER

Liquefied natural gas jobs and projections

The LNG opportunity

• In September 2011, our government announced its intention to aggressively pursue liquefied natural gas’ (LNG) potential to create jobs and boost our economy.
• Industry investments for the development of five major LNG projects will create an enormous demand for skilled labour, particularly in the Northern regions of the province.

Applying the Blueprint to LNG

• The Blueprint will meet the LNG industry’s workforce challenges.
• British Columbia’s apprenticeship system will be re-calibrated; education will be re-engineered, and training models will be more responsive to labour market demands.
• British Columbians will be first in line for the job opportunities associated with LNG development. Meeting the job opportunities created by LNG will require the full utilization of B.C.’s domestic supply of workers.
• Measures to recruit from across Canada, or internationally, will be taken only as required.

LNG Labour Projections

• *KPMG LLP was contracted to develop up-to-date workforce projections.
• The latest data assumes a scenario of five LNG plants constructed in B.C. between 2015 - 2024 which would create a total investment of $175 billion and create up to 100,000 jobs: 58,700 direct and indirect construction jobs, 23,800 permanent direct and indirect jobs for operations, and thousands more of induced jobs as a result of households having more income.
• This economic activity will contribute up to a trillion dollars to the province’s GDP.
• This new data updates the projections calculated by Grant Thornton over a year ago.

*KPMG provides audit, tax, and advisory services. KPMG LLP is the Canadian member firm of KPMG International.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799