Thompson Rivers University (TRU) will receive $325,274 to purchase new trades training equipment as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint.

The new equipment will support students at TRU who are entering in-demand occupations that are critical to the economy.

Examples of equipment TRU is purchasing: a power threader for pipefitter/plumbing students; jacking and lifting equipment for heavy mechanic students; a scaffolding kit for carpentry students; a gas-fired warm air heating trainer for gas fitter students; and  two Rational ovens for culinary arts students.

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

The $325,274 in 2014-15 for trades training equipment 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. Funding for trades equipment builds on the announcement in July 2014 of 52 additional critical trades training seats for TRU and an announcement in October 2014 of 48 additional critical trades training seats for the Williams Lake campus.

Quotes:

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson -

“Trades students will help build our economy. Many of the in-demand occupations are trades-related such as heavy-duty mechanics, gas fitters and electricians. Government is doing its part by ensuring trades students continue to have access to training equipment that meets the latest curriculum and industry requirements.”

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake -

“Thompson Rivers University trades training students have access to top-notch instructors and facilities, and industry-standard equipment. This helps ensure students get the right training they need to be first in line for long-term, well-paying jobs to support their families.”

Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone -

“The Thompson-Okanagan region is expected to have 98,300 job openings by 2022. This B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint investment brings us one step closer to delivering a trained workforce sectors, including LNG, need in order to help grow our economy.”

TRU president Alan Shaver -

“Thompson Rivers University continues to work with government and industry so that our students can have increased access to the training and technology they need to get jobs. Our collaboration with our industry partners ensures 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 help TRU continue to provide the province more students with a chance to contribute to BC’s economy as skilled graduates and apprentices.”

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 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.’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 training seats for TRU: http://ow.ly/HR3cD

News release on additional critical trades training seats for TRU’s Williams Lake campus: http://ow.ly/I3kWK

A backgrounder is attached.

Media Contacts:

Richelle D. Funk
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 356-7876

Diana Skoglund
Thompson Rivers University
250 371-5897

BACKGROUNDER

Eligible trades programs

The 18 eligible programs are from the top 60 list of in-demand occupations delivered by B.C. 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 D. Funk
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 356-7876

Diana Skoglund
Thompson Rivers University
250 371-5897