The world is changing and B.C. students need to be ready to adapt to the careers of tomorrow. Students in the North Vancouver and West Vancouver school districts will be prepared thanks to provincial funding awarded to the districts, helping to connect kids with opportunities in skilled trades and tech training. 

North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Naomi Yamamoto and North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite announced today, on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier, that the North Vancouver School District is receiving $5,000 from the Province’s Skills Training Access Grant.

This grant program is helping the district connect students with training in fields such as carpentry, coding, and culinary arts. It also supports student skills-training development right at home by bringing mobile training units to the North Vancouver area. Additionally, throughout the district, schools are offering small skills training classes to ensure students receive the attention and opportunities they need to succeed.

In addition, North and West Vancouver school districts are connecting students with the skills and technology training development thanks to a $17,500 grant to each district from the Province’s Shoulder Tappers Program, as announced by Yamamoto, Thornthwaite, West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan, and West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy.

Shoulder tappers―career coordinators and recruitment specialists―are encouraging students with positive input and advice, and connecting them with innovative workshops and on-the-job experience in the skilled-trades and technology fields such as aircraft engineering and heavy-duty mechanics.

The Skills Training Access Grant and Shoulder Tappers Program support B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, which is re-engineering the province’s education and apprenticeship system so training dollars and programs are targeted to in-demand jobs.

These programs also support the #BCTECH Strategy―a key component of the BC Jobs Plan to support the growth of B.C.’s vibrant technology sector and strengthen British Columbia’s diverse innovation economy.

Quotes:

Naomi Yamamoto, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale –

“These programs recognize the growing demand for workers in the skilled-trade and high-tech sectors. Our government is committed to offering our students the opportunity to enter these industries with an extra level of training, so they can be first in line for available jobs.”

Jane Thornthwaite, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour –

“Our students are eager to begin their training because they are fully aware of the potential these types of jobs offer. I’m proud to see our government supporting B.C.’s young people in their efforts to become full participants in the workforce of tomorrow.”

Ralph Sultan, MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano –

“By participating in programs like shoulder tappers, and by taking advantage of access to skills training, our students can receive mentorship and practical education that will prepare them for quality, high-paying, in-demand jobs in our province.”

Jordan Sturdy, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky –

“This program is designed to provide students with the best possible opportunity to understand the careers and industries that will drive B.C.’s ever evolving economy. The Shoulder Tappers Program will equip students with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions for their future.”

Learn More:

Explore B.C.’s new curriculum: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca

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

Learn more about B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

The B.C. government has launched a new parent-engagement process to better understand how parents want to be informed of their student’s success from kindergarten to Grade 9.  Participate in this process by visiting: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/yourkidsprogress

British Columbians can also join in an online discussion about rural education by visiting: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/ruraleducation