The B.C. government announced today that it has invested, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), $323,000 in the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115 Training Association (IUOETA). The funding is for trades training through to March 31, 2017, to meet industry needs and ensure quality training in high-priority trades.

In response to the objectives outlined in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and the McDonald Report, the B.C. government has worked in partnership with the ITA to begin building a demand-driven trades training system with funding aligned to specific high-priority trades.

With government’s $323,000 investment, the ITA will fund about 160 trades training seats at IUOE Local 115 including:

• Heavy equipment operator
• Mobile crane operator
• Asphalt paving/laydown technician (in partnership with B.C. Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association)
• Boom truck operator

The IUOETA training facility in Maple Ridge is one of the largest in B.C. It is an ITA Designated Trainer for the above mentioned programs, and is also a WorkSafe BC Educational Partner. To deliver the programs, IUOETA has more than 30 pieces of heavy equipment to give students the hands-on training they need. They also use state-of the-art mobile computer simulation facilities to assess the students’ skills in navigating the equipment in various terrains.

To support IUOETA in providing skills training to British Columbians, the Province recently helped them secure a 10-year extension of their lease of Crown land for their Maple Ridge training facility. With the land use now secured, the association will be able to plan and invest in more training programs in the future.

The provincial government invests more than $94 million in industry training through the ITA. The ITA leads and co-ordinates British Columbia’s skilled trades system by working with employers, employees, industry, labour, training providers and government to issue credentials, manage apprenticeships, set program standards and increase opportunities in the trades.

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. Our investments through the Skills for Jobs Blueprint specifically target high-priority trades, including heavy-equipment operators and crane operators, so that we can ensure that we have the workforce necessary for our growing economy. By working with our training providers like the IUOE Local 115 Training Association, we can give British Columbians the skills they need for in-demand jobs in B.C.”

Marc Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission –

“IUOE Local 115 Training Association has made valuable contributions to our community, helping thousands of British Columbians, including our residents, to pursue rewarding careers in the skilled trades. I am thrilled about the partnership between the government, Industry Training Authority and IUOETA, and I hope more apprentices will take advantage of this great program in Maple Ridge.”

Doug Bing, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows –  

“I am pleased that the Province helped our industry partner IUOE Local 115 Training Association secure their training site so they can continue to help more people pursue rewarding careers, and continue to build the skilled workforce B.C.’s construction sector requires to keep our communities strong and growing.”

Brian Cochrane, business manager, IUOE Local 115 –

“By supporting our application for renewal of our 10-year licence of occupation on this site, the ministry has ensured that the next generation of trades people trained by the IUOE Local 115 Training Association (IUOETA) receive industry-leading training that is unmatched in British Columbia. The licence of occupation allows the IUOETA to make additional investments in training materials, equipment, infrastructure and programs. I appreciate the ministry’s continued support and strengthened partnership.  We look forward to working on future initiatives as we continue to build B.C.”

Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority –

“There are 364 major capital projects in construction across British Columbia right now. We need to look at innovative ways to engage and train more British Columbians in skilled trades to ensure that they are first in line for job opportunities in the province.

The Industry Training Authority is committed to working with training providers, such as IUOE, to provide individuals with the training and resources necessary for a successful apprenticeship journey towards certification. Today’s investment will benefit the industry and province in preparing the future workforce in high-demand trades.”

Quick Facts:

• The Industry Training Authority provides more than 100 apprenticeship training programs in B.C., including almost 50 Red Seal trades.
• There are currently more than 39,000 registered apprentices in the industry training system (including youth) –more than double the 14,676 apprentices registered when ITA was created in 2004.
• To date, an estimated 3,000 apprentices have completed with the IUOETA and apprenticeship completion rate for all trades is between 85%-90%.
• To date the IUOETA have provided skills upgrade training for an estimated 14,500 journeypersons.
• British Columbia is expecting up to one million job openings by 2024 due to retirements and economic growth.
• Eight of every 10 of these job openings will require some sort of post-secondary education or trades training.

Learn More:

Industry Training Authority:  http://www.itabc.ca/

IUOE Local 115:  http://www.iuoe115.ca/

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint : https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education/B-C-s-Skills-for-Jobs-Blueprint.aspx

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