The British Columbia government announced today an investment of $1.18 million in Pacific Vocational College for skills training in high-priority trades seats.

Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North, announced the funding today on behalf of Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, during a tour of Pacific Vocational College in Burnaby.

The investment, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will fund 720 seats through to March 31, 2017, in various trades, including:

• Plumber
• Sprinkler system installer
• Domestic/commercial gasfitter

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 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:

Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North –

“Apprentices and their educators are a vital part of our provincial economy. They help fill our labour market demands and keep our economy diverse and strong. I’m pleased that this investment will help train many future skilled tradespersons on the Lower Mainland.”

Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority –

“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.”

Robert Bradbury, president, Pacific Vocational College –

“In the fall of 2014, the Industry Training Authority revised its training funding framework to focus investment on high-priority sectors and trades. Our piping trades classrooms are bursting at the seams and employers are in a hiring frenzy. The strategy is paying off. We are very grateful for the ITA funding support as it allows us to participate in piping trades apprenticeship training.”

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