The Province has announced today that it has invested, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), a combined $111,000 to two training providers in Kelowna for skills training seats in high-priority trades.

The investments will fund a total of 93 seats through to March 31, 2017. Receiving funding are:

• Enform: $100,000 for 78 Rig Technician seats.
• Southern Interior Construction Association: $11,000 for 15 Roadbuilders Foundation 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:

Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna—

“In a strong and growing economy we need to ensure British Columbians are ready to fill in-demand jobs today and in the future. With almost one million job openings expected in B.C. by 2025, targeted investments in high-priority trades in our post-secondary institutions is essential.”

Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country—

This $111,000 investment will ensure Okanagan residents have the opportunity to access training in high-priority trades so they are ready to fill the job opportunities that arise in the years ahead.”

Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission—

“Our government is aligning education and training with in-demand jobs. Trades training investments like these are integral to sustaining the upward economic momentum in the Okanagan and throughout B.C.”

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.”

Cameron McGillivray, president and CEO, Enform

“The safety of our workers and the communities in which we operate is critical to the oil and gas industry’s success. The Government of B.C.’s contribution allows us to continue to support students in the Rig Technician program and creates opportunities for individuals working within the energy industry locally and provincially. We look forward to working mindfully to improve safety in B.C.’s oil and gas industry. Our job is to help workers go home – safe and sound – at the end of every shift and at the end of every work day.”

W.E. (Bill) Everitt, COO, Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA)—

“SICA has been a provider of skills training for the construction industry for many years at our facilities in Kamloops and Kelowna. We are very pleased to partner with ITA to present the Roadbuilders Foundation course, which provides each student with an introduction to a sector of the construction industry that is growing in demand throughout the province.”

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