Premier Christy Clark announced today an investment of nearly $1.76 million in the College of the Rockies for skills training in high-priority trades. 

The investment, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will fund 600 trades training seats through to March 31, 2017, at the College of the Rockies in trades such as automotive service technician, carpenter, cook (institution entry), electrician, heavy duty equipment mechanic, industrial electrician, millwright, steamfitter/pipefitter and welder.

The $1.76 million announced today 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. 

“To keep B.C.’s economy diverse, strong and growing, it is critical that British Columbians get the skills they need for the jobs of the future,” said Premier Christy Clark. “For training to be effective, it must align with both industry and community needs, and the allocation of this funding will help the College of the Rockies ensure we have a sustainable labour force in British Columbia.”

“We are expecting almost one million job openings in B.C. by 2024, and our investments through the Skills for Jobs Blueprint specifically target high-priority trades so that we have the workforce necessary for our growing economy,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour. “By working with our training providers like College of the Rockies, we can give British Columbians the skills they need for in-demand jobs in B.C.”

“I am excited about the trades training seats that the College of the Rockies will be offering in our community, thanks to the government and ITA’s continued investment,” said Bill Bennett, MLA for Kootenay East. “This will not only create more career opportunities for our residents in Cranbrook, but also help give our employers the skilled workers they need for their businesses.”

“We thank Premier Clark and the Government of B.C. for this support of skilled trades training at College of the Rockies,” said David Walls, president and CEO, College of the Rockies. “This support from the provincial government and from the ITA will allow us to continue to provide in-demand skilled trades training to our apprentices and students and to meet industry needs in our region.”

“The seats in trades training at the College of the Rockies will benefit the students as well as the community of Cranbrook,” said Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority. “College of the Rockies provides great opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing a career in trades. This investment will ensure those opportunities continue to be offered in the community.”

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 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.

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.
• British Columbia is expecting up to one million job openings by 2024 due to retirements and economic growth.
• Eight of every 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/

College of the Rockies: http://www.cotr.bc.ca/  

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education/B-C-s-Skills-for-Jobs-Blueprint/Learn-about-Blueprint.aspx

B.C. Labour Market Outlook: https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx