Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is receiving $298,350 toward the purchase of new training equipment that will provide students studying health care, skilled trades and other in-demand programs with hands-on experience using industry-standard equipment.

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson made the announcement during a visit to TRU today.

With the $298,350 investment, TRU intends to buy equipment, such as vibration analysis instruments for millwright students, a walk-in freezer for culinary arts students and intravenous pumps for health care students.

Nearly one million job openings are expected in B.C. over the next decade and eight out of 10 of these openings will require post-secondary education. The Ministry of Advanced Education is targeting funding and programs to sectors that have a high-demand for skilled workers. The health care and social assistance sector is one of the largest sectors by employment in the South East region of B.C.

The 2024 Labour Market Outlook projects that over the next 10 years, skilled trades will be among the most in-demand jobs in the region.

With this $298,350 investment announced today, government has provided more than $2.4 million to TRU as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, launched in 2014.

Quotes:

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson –

“Skilled trades and health care workers are in-demand throughout British Columbia, including Kamloops. Our government is investing in programs, training seats and training equipment to prepare students for these careers.”

TRU president and vice-chancellor Dr. Alan Shaver –

“Thompson Rivers University is pleased to continue to work with the government so that our millwright, culinary arts, and health care students can excel at their chosen vocations and serve the people of B.C.”

MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson Terry Lake –

“The B.C. government has invested more than $2.4 million in Thompson Rivers University since the launch of Blueprint to help the university train another generation of workers that our regional economy needs to grow.”

MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson Todd Stone –

“There will be almost 150,000 job openings in our region over the next 10 years. Under B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, government is aligning funding for training to meet this demand in the region for skilled workers.”

Quick Facts:

• There will be almost one million job openings in British Columbia over the next decade and most of these openings will require post-secondary training.
• Approximately 42% of job openings will require college education or apprenticeship training.
• 36% will require university and/or significant work experience.
• 18% will require high school and/or occupation-specific training.

(flickr.com)

Learn More:

• B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: http://ow.ly/YCyjt
• B.C. 2024 Labour Market Outlook: http://ow.ly/YFiQS
• TRU programs: http://www.tru.ca/programs.html