Three public post-secondary institutions on Vancouver Island will receive a total of $939,000 to purchase new trades training equipment as part of the B.C. Skills for Jobs Blueprint.

The new equipment will support students at Camosun College, North Island College and Vancouver Island University who are entering in-demand occupations that are critical to the economy.

Camosun College will receive $400,000. Examples of equipment include: virtual welding machines to reduce the quantity of consumable materials used for welding students; a refrigeration trailer unit to meet new industry standards and laptops to run engine diagnostics for heavy duty mechanical students; spot welding machines for sheet metal students; Lab Volt electronic stations for electrical students; and, gas fired heating trainers for gas fitter students.

North Island College will receive $140,000. Examples of equipment include: a pressure differential gauge and wire feeder welders for steamfitter/pipefitter students; computer numeric control machines, pneumatic manual dovetail machines, and horizontal double drum sanders for carpentry and joinery students; high frequency radar level transmitters and wireless transmitters and gateways for electrical, electronic and industrial automation students; and a pizza oven for professional cook students.

Vancouver Island University will receive $399,000. Examples of equipment include: an industrial model power plant simulator for power engineering students; multi-process welding machines for welding students; industrial control systems for electrical students; and, class 8 transport truck for heavy equipment operator and heavy duty mechanic students.

Consultations with institutions, the Industry Training Authority, as well as the most-recent labour-market data, informed funding allocation decisions.

The $939,000 in 2014-15 for trades training equipment is part of a B.C. Blueprint commitment of $185 million for trades training infrastructure and equipment at public post-secondary institutions. The new trades training equipment builds on the announcement last year of an additional 238 critical trades seats for public post-secondary institutions on Vancouver Island.

Quotes:

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson -

“Our investment in new trades training equipment on Vancouver Island supports the development of a skilled workforce, while keeping up with industry and curriculum requirements. Students in trades programs on Vancouver Island will be able to continue getting hands-on experience using industry-standard equipment.”

Comox Valley MLA Don McRae -

“Government continues to invest in critical trades programs to help students get ahead and power our economy. New equipment for Vancouver Island trades training equipment will help give our students an extra boost towards a meaningful and rewarding career.”

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. The new equipment at VIU, North Island and Camosun Colleges provides even greater learning opportunities for Vancouver Island students and workers.”

Camosun College interim president Peter Lockie -

“Camosun College welcomes the new funding for equipment as it builds on the previous investments for new trades training seats and provincial funding towards our new Trades Education and Innovation Complex. Camosun is one of this province’s trades education powerhouses providing real skills for real jobs. With today’s announcement, the Province has shown its commitment to the B.C.’s 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 the residents of northern Vancouver Island have access to the equipment and technology local industry deems necessary to guarantee our graduates are job-ready. We work collaboratively with our industry partners to identify gaps in our training to ensure we deliver first-class trades training and certification that is highly responsive to labour market needs. This funding, combined with funds for new trades training spaces announced last year, will provide local employers with a higher number of job-ready graduates and apprentices right here on north Vancouver Island.”

Vancouver Island University president and vice-chancellor Ralph Nilson -

“Today’s announcement of funding new equipment is another important step in realizing the vision outlined in the Skills for Job Blueprint. With a long and proud tradition of providing high-quality trades training to support the needs of industry, Vancouver Island University is working to create 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.”

Quick facts:

• B.C. Skills for Jobs Blueprint was launched in April 2014.
• The Blueprint outlines how the province is re-engineering the education system - from kindergarten through to post-secondary training and beyond - to make sure education and training aligns with B.C. jobs.
• By 2022, there will be one million job openings in B.C. - more than 78% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, and 44% of jobs will be in skilled trades and technical occupations.

Learn more:

B.C. Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

B.C. 2022 Labour Market Outlook: http://ow.ly/DOw6R

News release on additional critical trades seats for Vancouver Island: http://ow.ly/HJ2Nq

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Richelle Funk
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 356-7876

Susan Auchterlonie
North Island College
250 334-5271
Cell: 250 898-4146

Michelle Tinis
Camosun College
250 370-4626
Cell: 250 516-3359

Janina Stajic
Vancouver Island University
250 740-6288

BACKGROUNDER

Eligible trades programs

The 18 eligible programs are from the top 60 list of in-demand occupations delivered by B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions. The programs are:

• Carpenters
• Chefs/cooks/bakers
• Concrete finishers
• Construction craft workers
• Crane operators
• Electricians
• Gas fitters
• Heavy equipment operators 
• Heavy mechanical trades
• Insulators
• Iron workers
• Machinists
• Millwrights
• Plumbers
• Power engineers
• Sheet metal workers
• Steam/Pipefitters and Sprinkler System Installers
• Welders

Media Contacts:

Richelle Funk
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 356-7876

Susan Auchterlonie
North Island College
250 334-5271
Cell: 250 898-4146

Michelle Tinis
Camosun College
250 370-4626
Cell: 250 516-3359

Janina Stajic
Vancouver Island University
250 740-6288