Getting K-12 students involved and interested in pursuing a career in the trades is one way the Province is ensuring a steady supply of homegrown talent, Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training, said during a visit to Terry Fox High school.

“We need to ensure we are training enough tradespeople, as we expect 100,000 job openings in the trades over the next 10 years,” said Mark. “One way is connecting with students at an early age to get them excited about the range of possibilities offered by a career in the trades.”

The minister rolled up her sleeves and participated in youth trades training programs today at Terry Fox High school in Port Coquitlam.

The Youth Explore Program at Terry Fox High allows students in grades 10 to 12 to try out different trades so they can figure out what trade they like best.

The program gives students 120 hours of hands-on experience in more than one trade. It allows them to learn the basics, explore their interests and get a sense of what trade they might want to pursue. Students can move on to one of the apprenticeship programs, such as the Youth Train in Trades Program or the Youth Work in Trades Program.

The Industry Training Authority’s youth trades training programs allow youth to start apprenticeship training and earn high school credits at the same time.

“The ITA’s youth trades training programs allow students to get exposure to trades as early as Grade 5,” said Gary Herman, chief executive officer, ITA. “In high school, students can get a head start in a trades career, earn a paycheque and graduate with a high school diploma and their first level in a trade.”

There are 4,795 participants in the ITA’s youth programs. More than 40,000 B.C. secondary students are also participating in school-based applied skills training, including work experience.

In 2017-18, ITA’s youth trades training programs will connect more than 5,000 students each year with trades training.

Trades jobs will make up 11% of the 917,000 job openings expected over the next 10 years.

For more information on youth trades programs, visit: http://youth.itabc.ca/programs/

For the latest labour-market information, to explore career options or improve work skills, visit: https://www.workbc.ca