As part of Apprenticeship Recognition Week, the B.C. government announced today that Camosun College will receive more than $331,000 for two innovation pilots that will improve training outcomes and employability for apprentices.

The first pilot, receiving funding of $166,300, sees the conversion of the Level 1 apprentice curriculum for the pipe trades (plumber, steam/pipefitter, sprinkler-fitter and gasfitter) into a blended, two-phase program consisting of an online theory component and a face-to-face practical component.

The program reduces on-site training from six weeks to three weeks, and adds four months of access to an online curriculum.

The second pilot, receiving funding of $165,250, delivers training for professional cook Level 3 consisting of both online and in-class learning. The pilot reduces online training from six weeks to six days, and adds six months of access to an online curriculum. All three levels of professional cook training will now be available online.

In 2015, the Industry Training Authority (ITA) held regional innovation forums and a provincial conference to bring training providers and industry together to discuss ways to promote more innovation in B.C.’s trades training system.

This year the ITA invited B.C.’s 14 post-secondary institutions and 24 non-public training providers that receive annual ITA funding to submit innovation pilot proposals.

The purpose of the innovation pilots is to test and evaluate novel methods of delivering trades training programs that result in better outcomes for apprentices and their employer sponsors.

Through the pilots, the ITA will promote new ways of delivering training programs to enhance apprentices’ training experiences and enable them to be more effective on the job and better meet industry’s needs.

Innovation pilots are designed to address one or more of the following four outcomes identified by industry:

• Provide more flexible training that enables employers to keep apprentices at work longer, and allow apprentices to maximize their earning potential.
• Improve employability and sponsorship out of foundation programs.
• Increase access to training for rural and under-represented groups.
• Improve alignment of technical training to the needs of apprentices and sponsors.

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:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour –

“Finding new and innovative methods of delivering trades training are essential as we constantly look to improve outcomes and employability of apprentices. These two innovation pilots at Camosun College show the kind of approach that B.C. needs to remain a leader in education and training.”

Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority –

“Our goal is to provide world-class apprenticeships for British Columbians and the innovation pilots put trades training in this province ahead of the curve in a very unique way. We are excited to launch these pilots and anticipate great results and ideas, which we will build upon in the future to ensure that B.C.’s trades training is responsive and relevant to the changing needs of industry.”

Eric Sehn, dean, School of Trades and Technology, Camosun College –

“Camosun is excited to deliver e-pprentice online training options to those students pursuing careers in the pipe trades and professional cooking. This type of online education model makes these trades programs a very attractive and sustainable training option for apprentices in various economic, geographic and employment situations.”

Quick Facts:

• ITA provides more than 100 apprenticeship training programs in B.C., including 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: https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Industry/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx

ITA innovation profiles in B.C.: http://www.itabc.ca/innovation-trades