Improving trades training outcomes and employability for trades students and apprentices is the goal of an innovative program developed by Camosun College for delivery at Riverside College, thanks to $49,980 in funding from the Province of British Columbia and the Industry Training Authority (ITA).

This plumbing foundation program consists of both classroom and online learning. The online component was developed by Camosun College in Victoria and is being delivered in partnership with Riverside College in Mission to 14 participants.

Camosun College has provided support to Riverside College in the following ways:

• Supplied the plumber blended curriculum, particularly the online portion of the program.
• Supported the Riverside College instructor, a Red Seal plumber, through the duration of the program.
• Provided an opportunity for the Riverside instructor to work with Camosun College and observe its instructors to further develop skills in trades technical training delivery.

Included among the 14 participants are nine ITA Youth Train in Trades students in grades 10 to 12. Youth Train in Trades gives students the opportunity to get a head start on their technical trades training by attending a class at a local secondary school, a partner post-secondary institution or an ITA-certified training facility

Last fall the B.C. government announced five innovation pilots designed to test and evaluate novel methods of delivering trades training programs that result in better outcomes for apprentices and their employer sponsors.

This program at Riverside College is one of three additional programs funded by the B.C. government through the ITA to test innovative trades training practices.

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

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:

Marc Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission –

“This type of outside-the-box thinking is exactly what is needed as we try to find new and creative methods of delivering trades training to British Columbians. By involving high school students in the program, our partners are giving them a head start on achieving rewarding careers in the plumbing industry.”

Simon Gibson, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission –

“Innovative programs, such as this one at Riverside College, are extremely valuable as we and our partners find new methods of delivering trades training to British Columbians in every corner of the province. It is one of the reasons our province is a leader in education and skills training.”

Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority –

“The Industry Training Authority supports innovative training delivery models that enable more British Columbians to access trades training. The collaboration between Camosun College and Riverside College is a great example of innovation at work in B.C. Apprentices, employers and training providers benefit from partnerships like this and we hope it inspires others to think out of the box when it comes to options in trades training.”

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

“Camosun College is one of the largest trades training providers in B.C. and is a leader in plumbing and pipefitting trades curriculum. Our innovative training partnership with Riverside College not only enables their students to learn a valuable trade in their own community, it gives them the opportunity to learn the latest in plumbing and pipefitting skills and technologies available today.”

Wade Peary, principal, Riverside College –

“Camosun College has been an incredible partner in the delivery of Riverside College’s pipe trade foundation program. Olaf Nielsen and the Camosun team have ensured that we have been able to continue to build on a strong program and make our students even more valuable to their potential employers. The instructors from both institutions have met several times over the course of the year and have been able to collaborate on the delivery of the Camosun College plumbing curriculum. The relationship between Riverside College and Camosun College is the true definition of a partnership. The two institutions are working collaboratively to deliver the pipe trades curriculum with great success.”

Quick Facts:

• ITA provides more than 100 apprenticeship training programs in B.C., including 50 Red Seal trades.
• There are currently nearly 45,000 participants in apprenticeship programs in the industry training system (apprentices, high school youth and foundation), more than double the 20,050 participants when the ITA was created in 2004.
• B.C. is expecting nearly 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

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