The British Columbia government announced today an investment of $5.2 million in Camosun College for skills training in high-priority trades seats.

Greg Kyllo, parliamentary secretary for the BC Jobs Plan, 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 Camosun College’s Centre for Trades Education and Innovation.

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• Electrician
• Welder
• Carpenter
• Cook
• Automotive service technician

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.

(flickr.com)

Greg Kyllo, parliamentary secretary for the BC Jobs Plan –  

“We want to ensure B.C. has the skilled workforce necessary to fill the almost one million jobs forecast in our province over the next decade. That’s why we continue to work with training providers like Camosun College, so we can give British Columbians the skills they need for jobs on Vancouver Island and throughout B.C., now and in the future.”

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.”

Eric Sehn, dean of trades and technology, Camosun College –

“This funding allows Camosun College to deliver more than 20 different trades foundation and apprenticeship programs each year to more than 2,000 students, making Camosun one of the leading providers of trades training in our province. Our students learn how to become practical problem solvers and gain the latest technical skills needed for the trades of today – helping them build a sustainable future for themselves and our community.”

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