Premier Christy Clark welcomed 122 students from around the province to the BC Lions’ Skills for Life Summit today, and invited them to try their hands at the skills needed for many of tomorrow's in-demand jobs.

“We're doing as much as we can to prepare young people for great careers in a growing economy,” said Premier Clark. “The students here today might just be starting to think about a career path − but the earlier they find their passion, the more likely they are to succeed.”

The BC Lions’ Skills for Life Summit is sponsored by the Province of British Columbia and Pacific NorthWest LNG. Participating students are touring WorkBC’s “Find Your Fit” skills and trades stations at the Richmond Oval to get a head start to hands-on-learning through interactive demonstrations of professions like welding, carpentry, heavy equipment operating, truck driving, and even accounting.

The students will also be participating in leadership and team building workshops with BC Lions players. Topics include bullying prevention, violence against women, making positive life choices and choosing alternatives to gang involvement.

School principals were asked to select two grades 6-to-8 students per school district, with a few extra students coming from the LNG corridor to attend the summit. Yesterday, hosted by the BC Lions, the students attended the Grey Cup game.

“We’re trying to give young people a clear and seamless path right from school through to the workplace, said Minister of Education Peter Fassbender. “The BC Lions share our commitment and they are a key partner in giving students the right kinds of opportunities.”

B.C.’s economy will require workers to fill over one million job openings in the next decade. More than 78% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, and 43% in trades and technical occupations. Launched just over six months ago, B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint is the action plan to meet that demand. The blueprint is already changing the way that people think about skills training - and partnerships like the BC Lion’s Summit are a big part of that shift.

“The BC Lions Football Club is very excited to host the inaugural Skills for Life Summit,” said BC Lions team president and CEO Dennis Skulsky. “The future success of our province is represented by the young people in attendance today and we are proud to partner with both the Province of British Columbia and Pacific NorthWest LNG to make this amazing event possible. I know that students from across our province will discover a world of opportunities through the Find Your Fit skills and trade stations and also acquire some very important life lessons in our player-led workshops.”

"Youth throughout British Columbia have a tremendous chance to capitalize on the opportunities that skilled trades present,” said Michael Culbert, president, Pacific NorthWest LNG. “The BC Lions Skills for Life Summit will equip participants with tools and leadership skills they can share with their peers upon return to their communities. We believe that this partnership will have a positive impact not only on those students that are directly involved in the program, but also for those that interact with these students in the future.”

Learn more:

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

To learn about B.C.’s Education Plan, visit: www.bcedplan.ca

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963