The British Columbia government announced today an investment of $1.6 million at Northwest Community College (NWCC) for skills training to meet industry needs and ensure quality training in high-priority trades.

The investment, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will fund 501 seats at NWCC through to March 31, 2017, in various trades, including:

• electrician
• carpenter
• welder
• cook
• heavy mechanical trades

The funding 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.

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.

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 –

“Our investments through the Skills for Jobs Blueprint target high-priority trades so we have the workforce necessary for our growing economy and the almost one million job openings we anticipate in B.C. by 2025. By working with our training providers like Northwest Community College, we are giving British Columbians the skills they need for the in-demand jobs of the future.”

John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes –

“Our government is aligning education and training with in-demand jobs. 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.”

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 across 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.”

Ken Burt, president, Northwest Community College –

“Investing in trades training for our students means more people in our communities have the opportunity to get the training they need to meet the demands of the workplace. We are pleased to offer a suite of trades training opportunities for students that will help them achieve their goals.”

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 10 of these job openings will require some sort of 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