The second anniversary of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint was marked today, April 25, 2016.

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training announced almost $8 million in funding over three years for pre-apprenticeship programs that will help young British Columbians find their fit in our diverse, strong and growing economy.

This funding will connect more than 5,000 students with trades training, allowing them to discover and explore the trades earlier, mapping out a clearer path through high school straight through post-secondary and into the workforce.

An apprenticeship is one of the best ways for youth to gain the necessary skills for a career in the trades and to join the workforce. The Industry Training Authority delivers youth apprenticeship programs in partnership with school districts to help youth start their apprenticeship training and earn high school credits at the same time.

To celebrate the second year anniversary, students, educators, workers and employers gathered at the B.C. Parliament Buildings to recognize how after just two years, the Blueprint is having a positive impact on B.C.’s workforce.

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The Top 10 Blueprint successes to date include:

1. Almost $8 million in new youth trades funding
2. $130 million in funding realigned for in-demand education and job training
3. $21 million in funding for industry-standard training equipment at post-secondary institutions
4. More than 1,000 participants in the first year of the $30 million for the Aboriginal Skills Development Fund
5. More than 58,000 youth and over 20,000 adults interacted with Find Your Fit in the last year
6. 2,526 participants in the Single Parent Employment Initiative
7. $650,000 to 27 school districts to increase recruitment capacity and skills training
8. More than 3,000 new critical trades seats
9. Almost 3,000 employers trained over 15,000 employees through the Canada Job Grant funding
10. All public projects over $15 million are required to hire and train apprentices

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Bond also recognized some participants and winners of the Skills BC Provincial competition, who displayed their award-winning projects from robotics showcasing technology skills, to culinary arts highlighting decorating and plating techniques.

The Blueprint is a cross-government, multi-ministry initiative that 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. This collaborative approach is helping to re-engineer B.C.’s education programs towards a data-driven system focusing investments toward training for jobs that are in-demand.

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. By 2024 the 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, resource and health care.

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Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour –

“We are expecting almost one million job openings in B.C. by 2024 and we want to ensure British Columbians are first in line for these in-demand careers. Over the last two years, B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint has been immensely successful in getting British Columbians the skills and training they need to enter the job market. I look forward to continued success in the years to come.”

Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –

“Education is at the heart of the Blueprint – and we are making sure we are connecting students today with the skills they need to succeed in our changing world tomorrow. Whether it’s our new curriculum or it’s helping students explore technology and trades at a younger age, we are laying the foundation for our kids to thrive. ”

Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Advanced Education –

“Our government continues to put students first by funding in-demand programs, new trades training spaces, industry-standard training equipment and trades infrastructure. These strategic investments are preparing students for emerging career opportunities in a prosperous B.C. economy.”

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –

“A key Blueprint goal is to add 15,000 more Aboriginal workers to the workforce by 2024. Toward this goal, we are working with First Nations to support community-based delivery of Aboriginal skills training programs that provide significant social and economic benefits while helping to meet B.C.’s labour market needs.”

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“We have a number of programs and services available so that everyone in B.C. can participate in our thriving economy. More than 2,500 single parents on assistance are already participating in the Single Parent Employment Initiative; WorkBC Employment Service Centres have helped more than 77,000 British Columbians find a new job or get back into the workforce. We are seeing great success and we will continue to invest in programs that connect people with skills training and employment opportunities.

Cai Brown, Saanich school district secondary school apprentice –

"Apprenticeship is the most engaging way to learn. The mix between school and hands on experience makes for a fun and challenging work environment!"

Patti Faulconbridge, human resources and safety administrator, Knappett Projects Inc.–

“Knappett Projects Inc. has always appreciated the need for a constant renewal of our workforce. We have been active with all local secondary schools providing mentoring, seminars, co-operative positions and hiring entry level workers. We always project the positive aspects of our industry to students, educators and parents. Our industry, and many careers in it, do not result in a student debt but do result in a positive future of employment.”

Learn More:

• For more information on B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint visit: https://www.workbc.ca/skills
• To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan, visit: www.bcjobsplan.ca 
• British Columbia’s 2024 Labour Market Outlook: http://ow.ly/10FUOg
• Read and hear about trades training champions at: www.championsofapprenticeship.ca

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