The Province announced today that it has invested, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), a combined $206,000 to two training providers in Vancouver for skills training seats in high-priority trades.

The investments, through the ITA, will fund a total of 84 seats through to March 31, 2017. Receiving funding are:

• Quadrant Marine Institute: $173,000 for 68 marine service technician seats
• University of British Columbia: $33,000 for 16 horticulture technician seats

The funding is part of the ITA’s 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 in-demand 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:

Suzanne Anton, MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview —

“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.”

Moira Stilwell, MLA for Vancouver-Langara —

“Apprentices and their educators are a vital part of the province’s economy; they help fill our labour-market demands and keep our economy diverse and strong.”

Andrew Wilkinson, MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena —

“The B.C. government is aligning education and training with in-demand jobs. Trades training investments like these are integral to sustaining the upward momentum of B.C.’s economy.”

Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority —

“B.C.’s economy is growing and is forecasted to be one of Canada’s strongest in the coming years. With more skilled tradespeople retiring from the workforce than entering it, investments like these will help equip British Columbians with the right skills to respond effectively to the upcoming job opportunities in the province.”

Shelley McIvor, managing director, Quadrant Marine Institute —

“As yachts become larger and increasingly complex, ITA funding for the Marine Service Technician (MST) apprenticeship improves access to the diverse range of specialty skills required by the recreational marine industry. MSTs are broadly trained on the whole boat — from structural repairs and refinishing technologies, to onboard system installations — and specifically skilled through workplace competency achievements.”

Egan Davis, chief instructor, Horticulture Training Program, UBC Botanical Garden —

“The funding that the UBC Horticulture Training Program receives from the ITA enables us to provide an outstanding practical experience for students. The opportunity to expose students to real-life work experiences and materials is what makes our program so valuable to the horticulture industry.”

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.
• B.C. is expecting up to one million job openings by 2025 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/

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