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VICTORIA - Today Premier Christy Clark and the Industry Training Authority (ITA) announced funding of over $75M to B.C.’s trades training providers through to March 31, 2016, to meet industry needs and ensure quality training in high priority trades.

In response to the objectives outlined in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and the McDonald Report, ITA has worked in partnership with the B.C. government to begin building a demand-driven trades training system with funding aligned to specific high priority trades.

“Our goal with the Skills for Jobs Blueprint has been to ensure British Columbians are first in line for jobs in our growing, diverse economy,” said PremierClark. “And as we move closer to realizing the generational opportunity of LNG, thousands more of those jobs are just around the corner.”

Nearly $72M will be allocated to training providers in regions throughout the province. In addition, there is a responsive funding resource - $3.5M Labour Market Demand Fund to address unanticipated demand in apprenticeship or foundation programs, emerging needs and innovative partnerships in B.C.’s skilled trades training system.

“In order to meet B.C.’s future labour market demands, it is critical that British Columbians can get the skills they need for the jobs of the future,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour. “For training to be effective it must align with both industry and community needs, and the allocation of this funding is intended to ensure that training providers are ready to meet those needs.”

The demand for trades workers is expected to grow exponentially and key industries in B.C. such as LNG, oil and gas, mining, shipbuilding and hydro will be in need of skilled tradespeople who have received advanced and innovative training. It is imperative that support mechanisms are put in place now to ensure successful outcomes for the future.

“B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint is giving students throughout B.C. the education and skills employers need,” said Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson. “A range of sectors - from LNG to shipbuilding and ship repairs to construction - are driving the economy and having skilled workers to fill those jobs is critical to our ongoing success.”

“ITA is committed to supporting the needs of industry to ensure apprentices get the skills they need,” says Gary Herman, CEO, ITA. “Promoting innovation is a key strategy to successfully planning for future labour market needs.”

The Labour Market Demand Funds will provide support to priorities such as apprenticeship completion, in-demand trades programs, ACE IT programs, innovative programs, waitlist reduction, and trades training actions from B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint.

As outlined in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, investment decisions related to skills training are coordinated across Ministries through the Labour Market Priorities Board.

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Quick Facts:

• The Industry Training Authority (ITA) leads and coordinates British Columbia’s skilled trades system.
• ITA works with employers, employees, industry, labour, training providers and government to issue credentials, manage apprenticeships, set program standards and increase opportunities in the trades.
• ITA is also a key collaborator in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, which sets out a plan for re-engineering our education and training system to support our growing and changing economy, and to help British Columbians take full advantage of the opportunities presented by these changes.

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of Premier
250 952-7252

Angela Osborne
Communications Specialist, ITA
778 327-5897
Cell: 604 764-8764
aosborne@itabc.ca