More than 100 middle-school students from all parts of the province will get the chance to connect this weekend with information about the in-demand jobs of tomorrow at the second annual BC Lions Skills for Life Summit.

Students will have the chance to take part in leadership and team building workshops with BC Lions players. Topics for those workshops include:

• The importance of making positive choices.
• Choosing alternatives to gang involvement.
• Be More Than a Bystander.
• Erase Bullying.
• Understanding the impact of violence against women.

Students in grades 7 to 9 from school districts throughout the province will attend the summit and have the chance to tour WorkBC’s Find Your Fit skills station. They can visit interactive trades stations to try hands-on learning in careers such as welder, heavy equipment operator, nurse and construction inspector. The students can visit a kiosk that teaches students how to read blueprints.

The summit is sponsored by the Government of British Columbia, the BC Lions and Pacific NorthWest LNG and is being held at the Creekside Community Centre on Sunday, Nov. 8. All students will attend the BC Lions football game on Saturday, Nov. 7.

By 2024, B.C.'s economy will require skilled workers to fill up to one million job openings, approximately 42% of these openings will require college education or apprenticeship training. The B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint is the action plan to meet this demand, and is already changing how people think about skills training. Partnerships like the BC Lions Skills for Life Summit are a big part of this change.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –

“This summit provides students with a unique opportunity to try their hand at highly skilled careers like nursing and welding. Government is proud to support such an important program that will help our students learn the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.”

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

“The BC Lions Youth Summit is a fantastic opportunity for young people in our province to come together and discuss the importance of making positive life choices. Students at the summit will have the chance to explore the Find Your Fit activation and consider how the skilled trades can be a viable choice for their future careers.”

Tessa Gill, head of corporate and stakeholder relations, Pacific NorthWest LNG –

“Pacific NorthWest LNG is proud to sponsor the BC Lions Skills for Life Summit. Youth from around the province will have an exciting opportunity to learn about skilled trades and participate in educational workshops that will help them make informed decisions as they prepare for their future careers.”  

Dennis Skulsky, CEO and president, BC Lions Football Club –

“The future success of our province will be equal to our investment in our most precious resource: our youth. The BC Lions are honoured to take a lead role in the Skills For Life Summit and contribute to an innovative, progressive and safe British Columbia of tomorrow.” 

Learn More:

BC’s Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca/

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/blueprintaction

BC Lions: http://www.bclions.com

Pacific NorthWest LNG: http://www.pacificnorthwestlng.com/

Find Your Fit: https://www.findyourfittour.ca