Students in the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District are connecting with skills and technology training development thanks to a $17,500 grant to the district from the Province’s Shoulder Tappers Program.

Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Doug Bing and Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton announced this today on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier. Students are receiving the supports, skills, and experiences they need for the jobs of tomorrow from the help of shoulder tappers―career co-ordinators and recruitment specialists.

These mentors are connecting students with innovative workshops and on-the-job opportunities in skilled-trades and technology careers, encouraging them with positive input and advice, and cultivating their passions.

All 33 districts that applied met the requirements and received the 2016/17 grant. Twelve districts receive funding for similar programs under the Northern Development Initiative Trust and a further eight receive funding from the ministry as part of the Northern Opportunities Partnership or the South Island Partnership.  

The Shoulder Tappers Program supports 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. It also supports 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:

Doug Bing, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows –

“The basic skills and knowledge that the Shoulder Tappers Program provides will ensure that its graduates will enter the workforce well-prepared and ready to contribute to our province’s growing, diverse economy.”

Marc Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission –

“Shoulder tappers provide a head start for anyone who wants to match their talents and interests to a career that is fulfilling and rewarding; the program will help our students realize their bright futures in our great province.”

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