Fourteen people are receiving work experience and training for in-demand jobs as electricians, carpenters, plumbers and welders, thanks to nearly $104,000 in provincial funding.

Participants will receive a certificate from Sprott Shaw College-Abbotsford when they finish the program so they can move forward to become a registered apprentice. They will also get experience in framing construction, concrete forms, learning to read blueprints and working with carpentry and electrical tools.

The five-month program includes 12 weeks of classroom work at Sprott Shaw College-Abbotsford before moving on to seven weeks of on-the-job work experience with local employers. Afterward, participants will have career preparation and job search support to secure work in their chosen trade. The project is scheduled to wrap up in April 2016.

Project-Based Labour Market Training helps groups of people with on- or off-the-job employment training and is a component of Community and Employer Partnerships, which were introduced in April 2012 as part of the Employment Program of BC.

To date, more than 900 job seekers have benefited from work experience and 195 projects have been funded throughout the province.

B.C. has reached a tipping point with fewer young people entering the workforce than older workers leaving it. That is why, through the B.C. Skills for Jobs Blueprint, government is re-engineering education and training programs towards a data-driven system ensuring that investment decisions align with the needs of our rapidly changing labour market so that more British Columbians have the skills they need to be first in line for in-demand jobs.

The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market. It helps build stronger partnerships with industry and labour to connect British Columbians with classroom and on-the-job training, while making it easier for employers to hire the skilled workers they need – when and where they need them.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“Everyone benefits through Community and Employer Partnerships like Trades for Tomorrow. People get valuable work experience and training for in-demand jobs and employers are able to hire the skilled workers they need to keep B.C.’s strong, diverse economy growing.”                                                

Michael de Jong, MLA for Abbotsford West –

“Carpentry, electrical, plumbing and welding trades are in-demand locally and throughout B.C. This project will benefit both the Abbotsford trades community and construction companies. It will give 14 people valuable in-class training and on-the-job work experience enabling them to begin their careers as tradespeople.”

Simon Gibson, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission –

“Earning a trades certificate through this program is a great first step as participants launch their careers. Trades for Tomorrow will have long-term benefits for Abbotsford-Mission as these learners enter the trades.”

Darryl Plecas, MLA for Abbotsford South –

“In five short months, 14 unemployed people will learn some terrific skills and get valuable work experience in the trades, thanks to this Community and Employer Partnership. This will help these workers start up their careers as these are in-demand jobs that are needed in Abbotsford as the economy continues to grow and prosper.”

Patrick Dang, president, Sprott Shaw College –

"Sprott Shaw College views trades training as an important part of the future of British Columbia and welcomes the opportunity to be involved in an exciting growing industry. Sprott Shaw has been delivering trades training and expanding trades training facilities province-wide.

“We are excited to be partnered with the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation, offering this unique and intensive program that offers training and on the job experience for EI clients."

Jason Smith, participant –

“I took this course to introduce myself to the trades. I have worked in this field but want to be educated and a credible employee. This course will give me the introductory level to further my education and skills toward my Red Seal.

“I expect to get lots of knowledge and a work position with hands-on experience. I also want to continue my education to achieve my main goal of being a Red Seal plumber.”

Quick Facts:

• By 2024, B.C. will need thousands of tradespeople to make up for people who have retired and for new economic opportunities, according to the British Columbia 2024 Labour Market Outlook.
• This includes:
  • 11,200 carpenters,
  • 6,800 electricians,
  • 3,300 welders and related machine operators and,
  • 2,800 plumbers,
  • for a total of more than 24,000 jobs in these trades.
• The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• Funding supports 84  WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
  • Job Creation Partnerships
  • Labour Market Partnerships
  • Project-Based Labour Market Training
  • Research and Innovation

Who is eligible?

• Businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Municipalities, agencies or territorial governments
• Bands/tribal councils
• Public health and educational institutions

Learn More:

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

Find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca

For more information on Sprott Shaw College: http://sprottshaw.com/?gclid=CO20yOrluMkCFchffgodR-cFVg

Learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi

For more information on B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

To see the British Columbia Labour Market Outlook 2024: https://www.workbc.ca/getmedia/6c371a90-baaa-4011-90f4-1830c56b5d29/BC-LM-Outlook-2014-2024_C.pdf.aspx

To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/