Students in the Richmond 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.

Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap, Richmond Centre MLA Teresa Wat, and Richmond East MLA Linda Reid 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:

John Yap, MLA for Richmond-Steveston –

“Our strong, diverse economy offers a tremendous variety of opportunities and shoulder tappers will help match talented students to a career of their choice.”

Teresa Wat, MLA for Richmond Centre –

“When I meet with industry leaders throughout the province, they are deeply impressed with how well prepared young workers in B.C. are to enter the workforce. We can thank programs like shoulder tappers for giving our students that extra edge.”

Linda Reid, MLA for Richmond East –

“There is no better way to choose a career than by learning from someone with the inside track of a particular industry and with the knowledge of how to succeed in the workforce.”

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