The British Columbia government announced today an investment of more than $192,000 in the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC) to help students get skills training as electricians.

The investment, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will fund 96 electrician trades training seats through to March 31, 2017, at the EJTC Green Skills Campus. The funding announced today 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. Last year, EJTC received $160,500 from the ITA.

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.

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After the announcement, government representatives also visited EJTC’s new marine electrician training centre. The shipbuilding and ship repair industry is a key part of B.C.’s economy, providing billions of dollars in revenue and more than 4,000 jobs for British Columbians. It is estimated that by 2020, $10 billion in new investment will be made in the B.C. shipbuilding and ship repair sector, and an additional 4,000 direct and indirect jobs will become available. The new training centre will help journeypersons get the skills they need to work in this growing industry.

The Electrical Joint Training Committee is a partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 213 and the Electrical Contractors Association of BC. The EJTC electrical training facility is one of the largest in B.C.

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.

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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. Our investments through the Skills for Jobs Blueprint specifically target high-priority trades, including electricians, so that we can ensure that we have the workforce necessary for our growing economy. By working with our training providers like the Electrical Joint Training Committee, we can give British Columbians the skills they need for in-demand jobs in B.C.”

Linda Reimer, MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam –

“Electricians are one of the highest in-demand occupations in our province. The Electrical Joint Training Committee has helped hundreds of British Columbians to become certified electricians. I am thrilled about the partnership between the government, Industry Training Authority and the committee, and I hope more apprentices will take advantage of this great program in Port Coquitlam."

Graham Trafford, chair, Electrical Joint Training Committee –

“The EJTC is grateful for the ITA’s continued support for entry-level trades training. The quality of this EJTC course has created a high level of demand, and the result is that we’re moving a steady stream of bright, motivated, well-prepared trainees into the B.C. apprenticeship system.”

Adam Van Steinburg, business manager, IBEW 213 –

“By investing in skills development, the business and labour partners in the EJTC are maintaining a competitive edge. The quality of our people means we can serve our customers better, maintain a safe electrical grid and protect consumers. It’s great to see that the government recognizes these benefits from training and is standing behind B.C.’s training organizations.”

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 EJTC, to provide individuals with the training and resources necessary for a successful apprenticeship journey towards certification. The investment announced today will benefit the industry and province in preparing the future workforce in high-demand trades.”

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Quick Facts:

• British Columbia is expecting up to one million job openings by 2024 due to retirements and economic growth.
• 80% of job openings will require some sort of post-secondary education or trades training.
• By 2024, up to 5,400 electrician job openings, and up to 1,400 industrial electrician openings are expected in B.C.
• Since February 2009, 648 construction electrician apprentices have certified under EJTC’s sponsorship. 
• ITA provides more than 100 apprenticeship training programs in B.C., including almost 50 Red Seal trades.
• There are currently more than 37,000 registered apprentices in the industry training system (including youth) – more than double the 14,676 apprentices registered when ITA was created in 2004.

Learn More:

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

Electrical Joint Training Committee: http://ejtc.org/

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