The British Columbia government announced today an investment of $1.9 million in Northern Lights College for skills training in high-priority trades seats.

The investment, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will fund 639 seats at NLC through to March 31, 2017, in various trades, including:

• Aircraft maintenance engineer
• Heavy mechanical trades
• Electrician
• Welder
• Carpenter

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:

Mike Bernier, MLA for Peace River South –

“This investment in Northern Lights College will ensure residents of the Peace have access to training in high-priority trades so they are ready to respond to the job opportunities to come. Trades training investments like this are essential to sustaining the upward momentum of B.C.’s economy.”

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.”

Bryn Kulmatycki, president and CEO, Northern Lights College –

“Thanks to this funding, Northern Lights College will continue to be well-positioned as the North’s premier training institute and provide much-needed trades seats for the high-demand skilled trades that are vital to industry operations throughout the Peace region.”

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