Trades students at the College of New Caledonia (CNC) will benefit from provincial funding of $4.3 million for skills training in high-priority trades seats, Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, announced today.

The investment, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will fund 1,712 seats at CNC through to March 31, 2017, in various trades, including welding, electrical, millwright, carpentry and heavy mechanical group trades.

The funding is part of the ITA’s annual allocation to B.C. post-secondary institutions and training providers to run various training programs throughout the province.

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.

The provincial government invests more than $94 million annually 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 –

“Our investments through the Skills for Jobs Blueprint target high-priority trades so we have the workforce necessary for our growing economy and the one million job openings we anticipate in B.C. by 2024. By working with our training providers like the College of New Caledonia, we are giving British Columbians the skills they need for the in-demand jobs of the future.”

Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority –

“There is growing interest in trades careers and this investment will ensure that British Columbians have access to training in high-priority trades. ITA is committed to working with the industry and training providers, such as the College of New Caledonia, to build a strong, skilled workforce in B.C. to respond to future job opportunities.”

Mike Morris, MLA, Prince George-Mackenzie –

“The B.C. government is aligning education and training with in-demand jobs. B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint outlines a plan to align funding and programs to a data-driven system where training dollars and programs target in-demand occupations.”

Henry Reiser, president, College of New Caledonia –

“CNC is proud to work with government to create opportunities for our students to enrol in trades training programs and to gain access to tools as well as equipment that will help them gain the practical skills needed in their journey to career success. CNC is preparing students with the skills employers demand and look for in our community.”

Quick Facts:

• ITA 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.
• British Columbia is expecting nearly one million job openings by 2024 due to retirements and economic growth.
• Eight of every 10 of these job openings will require  post-secondary education or trades training.

Learn More:

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

College of New Caledonia: http://www.cnc.bc.ca/

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

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