Surrey-Tynehead MLA Amrik Virk announced today an investment of $519,000 for skills training in high-priority trades seats at the Joint Apprentice Refrigeration Training School (JARTS).

Virk announced the funding on behalf of Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, during a tour of the JARTS facility in Surrey.

The investment, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will fund 336 refrigeration mechanic seats through to March 31, 2017.

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:

Amrik Virk, MLA for Surrey-Tynehead—

“The Joint Apprentice Refrigeration Training School has made a valuable contribution to our community, helping thousands of British Columbians pursue rewarding careers in the skilled trades. This partnership between our government, the ITA and JARTS is helping to build a stronger B.C., and I hope more apprentices will take advantage of this great program in Surrey.”

Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority—

“Trades training investments are integral to sustaining the upward momentum of B.C.’s economy. There is growing interest in trade careers throughout the province and the investment announced today will ensure British Columbians have the opportunity to access training in high-priority trades so that they are equipped with the right skills to respond to the job opportunities to come.”

Richard Seder, president, Joint Apprentice Refrigeration Training School—

“JARTS has been working hand in hand with the provincial government for 25 years delivering quality education to apprentices in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration trades. This funding enables us to keep tuition fees low while providing unparalleled training for students in an extremely complex trade.”

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