As part of B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, Northern Lights College will receive $350,274 to purchase new trades training equipment to support students who are entering in-demand occupations that are critical to the economy.

Northern Lights College is using the funds to keep up with industry and curriculum requirements.

This equipment includes:

• new welding machines.
• new band saws for carpentry.
• a new loader/excavator for heavy-duty and commercial transport.
• new energy-efficient training systems with solar technology capability for the plumber/gasfitter program.
• a new lathe for the millwright program.
• new ranges for the professional cook program.

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

The $350,274 for Northern Lights College is part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint commitment of $185 million over three years for trades training infrastructure and equipment at public post-secondary institutions. The funding for new trades equipment builds on the 75 additional critical trades training seats announced in July 2014.

Quotes:

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson -

“Our trades training equipment investment supports the creation of a highly skilled workforce. Students participating in trades programs at Northern Lights College and throughout B.C. are getting hands-on experience on equipment that is keeping up with the latest requirements.”

Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier -

“Government is committed to ensuring B.C. has a well-trained workforce that will be ready for jobs in a range of industries such as liquefied natural gas. A career in the trades provides the opportunity for British Columbians for long-term, well-paying jobs that strengthen our families and communities. Today’s investment at NLC will help position our students for success.”

Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm - 

“We want British Columbian students and workers to be the first in line for job openings expected in the coming years. New equipment at Northern Lights College means students will be able to get the skills and hands-on experience they need to get ahead.”

Northern Lights College president Dr. Nick Rubidge -

“On behalf of NLC, we would like to thank the Government of British Columbia for this strategic investment to provide more of the high demand trades training needed for the growing labour demand in northeast British Columbia.”

Quick facts:

• B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint was launched in April 2014.
• The Blueprint outlines how the Province is re-engineering the education system - from kindergarten through 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% per cent of these 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.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

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

News release on additional critical trades seats at Northern Lights College: http://ow.ly/HJ3g8

Media Contacts:

Richelle Funk
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 356-7876

Jennifer Fernandes
Acting Executive Director of Communications
Northern Lights College
250 785-6981

BACKGROUNDER

New equipment supports trades training programs

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

Jennifer Fernandes
Acting Executive Director of Communications
Northern Lights College
250 785-6981