Students at 15 public post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia, including Okanagan College, will benefit from $6.1 million in funding for new industry-standard trades training equipment.

Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson and Penticton MLA Dan Ashton made the announcement today during a visit to the Penticton campus at Okanagan College. 

“Trades students at Okanagan College are receiving hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment,” Wilkinson said. “Trades equipment has rapidly evolved and employers want workers who know how to use it. New trades-training equipment provides students with the opportunity to gets skills that are in demand for rewarding trades careers in a range of sectors throughout the province.”

An investment of more than $565,500 at Okanagan College will fund the purchase of new trades equipment, including a natural gas oven for the refrigeration and air conditioning program. The funding will benefit students in the automotive service, construction, heavy mechanic, plumber/pipefitter, sheet metal, refrigeration and air conditioning, welder and cook/baker programs.

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“Okanagan College provides leading trades training that prepares students for career opportunities in their communities,” said Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton. “This funding will allow us to add to the variety of equipment we provide in our shops in a whole range of programs at each of our campuses, which adds a great deal of value to the learning experience for our students.”

The Ministry of Advanced Education has invested more than $2.3 million in trades-training equipment at Okanagan College through B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, and almost $2 million for 503 critical trades seats. Government also invested $28 million toward the $33-million Okanagan College Trades Renewal Project.

“The most important aspect of trades training is the hands-on learning,” said Dustin Vasil, Okanagan College refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic student. “The more access we have to different kinds of equipment – especially new equipment – the better prepared we will be once we leave the classroom and enter the work force.”

Government is investing $185 million in new trades training equipment and facilities, including $6.1 million in 2016-17 through B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. The targeted funding supports students entering in-demand careers in the natural resource, industrial, marine, construction or hospitality sectors. For example, the B.C. Labour Market Outlook 2025 estimates that there will be 5,440 job openings for automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers.

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“The Industry Training Authority supports innovation in trades training,” said Gary Herman, Industry Training Authority CEO. “This investment in trades training equipment will offer students the necessary experience to respond to the growing demand for skilled tradespeople in B.C., benefiting students, their families and their communities.”

B.C.’s Blueprint was launched in 2014 to connect British Columbians with the training and education they need to get in-demand jobs that support a diverse, strong and growing economy.

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. In-demand occupations requiring post-secondary education or training range from professional to management to trades.

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/

2025 Labour Market Outlook: https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx

Okanagan College trades programs: http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/Page287.aspx

A backgrounder follows.