Fourteen public post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia have received $4.4 million to purchase new trades training equipment that will support students entering in-demand sectors that are critical to the diverse, strong and growing economy.

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson announced the funding from the provincial government as he visited public post-secondary institutions in January and February.

The funding is part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint commitment of $185 million over three years for trades training infrastructure and equipment. It builds on a $6.8-million investment that created 1,424 new critical trades training seats at 14 public post-secondary institutions. In October 2014, government also announced an additional 64 critical trades seats for welding, saw filler and heavy duty mechanic programs in the Cariboo region.

Government based the funding for this new equipment on consultations with educational institutions and the Industry Training Authority, as well as the most-recent labour-market data. Approximately 12% of the one million projected job openings to 2022 are for in-demand trade occupations in B.C. Skilled trades are critical to a range of sectors that support economic growth in the province.

A map showing provincial investments in trades training equipment, additional critical seats and new facilities is available online at: http://ow.ly/Kd3Dq

Quotes: 

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson −

“The trades training students and staff that I met during my visits to post-secondary institutions were enthusiastic about their learning and the opportunities that lie ahead. Government is working to ensure they have the tools and training necessary to reach their goal of securing a rewarding trades career.” 

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

“There are one million job openings anticipated in the province by 2022, two-thirds of them driven by retirements and many of them are in-demand careers in the skilled trades and technical occupations. When you look at the higher lifetime earnings that come with these careers in our diverse, strong, and growing economy, it’s clear that these careers that can support families and build communities.” 

Gary Herman, CEO of Industry Training Authority −

“ITA is working with government to ensure funding for apprenticeship training investments and services are aligned to meet labour market needs and jobs in demand. The new trades equipment will go towards critical trades that ensure B.C. has the right skilled workers in the right industries.”

Quick facts:

• B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint was launched in April 2014.
• B.C.’s 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, B.C. expects to have one million job openings. 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

Additional critical trades training seats for B.C. post-secondary Institutions: http://ow.ly/I2R7M

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Stacey McGaghey Jones
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400

BACKGROUNDER

$4.4 million for trades training equipment in B.C.

Below are the 14 public post-secondary institutions that received funding for new trades training equipment.

British Columbia Institute of Technology
Funding amount: $421,500
Examples of equipment purchased: a CNC lathe, a motor grader and fall arrest lifelines. 

Camosun College
Funding amount: $400,000
Examples of equipment purchased: virtual welding machines, a refrigeration trailer unit and gas fired heating trainers.

College of New Caledonia
Funding amount: $375,028
Examples of equipment purchased: a fibre fusion splicer, updated welding machines, and a PRO Link Ultra Elite Scanner.

College of the Rockies
Funding amount: $325,274
Examples of equipment purchased: air dryer and heat exchangers, an upright glass door freezer and an oxyfuel cutter.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Funding amount: $325,274
Examples of equipment purchased: includes a back-up energy systems trainer, a fire alarm trainer and lab volt trainers.

North Island College
Funding amount: $140,428
Examples of equipment purchased: a pressure differential gauge, pneumatic manual dovetail machines, and a pizza oven.

Northern Lights College
Funding amount: $350,274
Examples of equipment purchased: welding machines, band saws, and energy-efficient training systems with solar technology capability.

Northwest Community College
Funding amount: $171,428
Examples of equipment purchased: electrical training boards and a low-bed trailer.

Okanagan College
Funding amount: $171,428
Examples of equipment purchased: a scissor lift, a pavement breaker, two electric jack hammers and electric masonry table saws.

Selkirk College
Funding amount: $315,428
Examples of equipment purchased: industry-standard drill press, a double-deck convention oven with steam injection, and an air conditioning trainer.

Thompson Rivers University
Funding amount: $325,274
Examples of equipment purchased: power threader, a scaffolding kit, a gas-fired warm air heating trainer and Rational ovens.

University of the Fraser Valley
Funding amount: $325,274
Examples of equipment purchased: HVAC recovery program, power threading machine, new technology welding machine.

Vancouver Community College
Funding amount: $356,274
Examples of equipment purchased: scanners, full-sized blast freezer, proofer, range, and walk-in coolers.

Vancouver Island University
Funding amount: $398,616
Examples of equipment purchased: an industrial model power plant simulator, multi-process welding machines and a class 8 transport truck.

Media Contacts:

Stacey McGaghey Jones
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400