The electrical and power engineering programs at the College of New Caledonia (CNC) will receive a funding boost of $151,600 from the provincial government to support in-demand occupations that support the provincial economy.

“We know there is a demand for skilled workers today and in the future and we want to be sure we are adding critical trades training seats right across the province,” said Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “This additional funding for CNC will support students who want to train and hopefully stay and work here in northern B.C.”

Power engineers and electricians support a range of sectors including construction, liquefied natural gas and forestry and can be employed in pulp mills, hospitals, mining operations and other settings.

“This funding will benefit the Prince George community by training skilled workers in electrical and power engineering at the College of New Caledonia,” said Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “These seats assist the college to deliver quality trades training in high-demand careers that meet employer needs.”

Government has invested a total of $755,000 in trades training seats and $1.9 million for trades training equipment at CNC since 2014.

“This extra trades seats funding is coming at a great time,” said CNC president Henry Reiser. “We are seeing lots of trades people returning to the college right now to gain additional training. As a result, this investment will increase our capacity to help more students develop their skills and further their careers.”

“I joined the 4th class power engineering program because it’s something that is interesting to me, and at the end of the day if you aren't doing what you like, you have a job, not a way of life,” said Jacob Henschke, power engineering 4th class.

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint was launched two years ago to help British Columbians get the skills they need to be first in line for the almost one million job openings that are projected by 2024 and to re-engineer education and training programs using a data-driven system that focuses investments on training for in-demand jobs.

B.C. invests more than $7.5 billion in education and training each year, from early learning programs for the youngest British Columbians all the way through to post-graduate education. Over the next 10 years, government will redirect $3 billion in training investments to focus on skills and programs for in-demand jobs to better align annual investments to meet emerging labour market needs. In-demand occupations that require post-secondary education or training range from professional to management to trades in a range of sectors including technology, natural resources and health care.

Learn More:

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint:
https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education/B-C-s-Skills-for-Jobs-Blueprint/Learn-about-Blueprint.aspx

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

#BCTECH Strategy: https://bctechstrategy.gov.bc.ca/