The Province announced today that it has invested, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), a combined $331,774 to two training providers in Victoria for skills-training seats in high-priority trades.

The investments will fund a total of 111 seats through to March 31, 2017. Receiving funding are:

• B.C. Funeral Association: $191,000 for 63 seats in embalmer and funeral director, funeral services, funeral director and embalmer programs.
• Pacific Horticulture College: $140,774 for 48 horticulture technician and landscape horticulturist 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:

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 2025. That’s why these crucial investments targeting high-priority trades in our post-secondary institutions are essential. We need to ensure that we have the workforce necessary for our growing economy today and in the future.”

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.”

Athena Theodorakakis, chair, Education and Apprenticeship Committee, B.C. Funeral Association —

“Funeral service professionals are becoming more necessary as our communities grow and our population ages. The ITA funding is invaluable, enabling us to mentor students and provide exceptional training both academically and hands-on. The funding also provides the opportunity for funeral homes of any size in all areas of the province to create employment for an apprentice.”

Anne Kadwell, college director, Pacific Horticulture College —

“This support is invaluable to the Pacific Horticulture College, which is a small private college that is part of a non-profit organization. Without such assistance, we would not be able to provide our students with the high-quality education needed to help them excel in their new career.”

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