New trades equipment will help set up students in the Kootenay region with the skills they need for rewarding careers.

Students at College of the Rockies and Selkirk College are benefiting from industry-standard equipment. The schools are among 19 throughout B.C. that each received $160,000 to buy up-to-date equipment for trades and technology programs. Government funding this year totalled $3 million.

“Student success is the key ingredient to creating, building and maintaining the best B.C.,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “Our strong economy and the technology driving it are rapidly evolving. Investing in students, skills and state-of-the-art training equipment at our province’s post-secondary institutions is a win-win.”

Trades and technology workers are in high demand. The 2018 B.C. Labour Market Outlook projects about 82,300 tech-related job openings and about 71,000 trades openings in the province in the next decade.

“Employment opportunities in the trades and technology sectors are increasing in every region of the province, helping to further B.C.’s economic prosperity,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology. “Training with the latest tools and equipment allows students to gain real-world skills that translate to the jobs of tomorrow.”

Quotes:

Michelle Mungall, MLA for Nelson-Creston –

“Providing students studying trades with modern training equipment is integral to their opportunities and our economic success. I’m proud to be part of a government making these investments at Selkirk College and College of the Rockies.”

David Walls, president, College of the Rockies –

“Investing in up-to-date equipment gives our students the skills they’ll need for the opportunities that lay ahead. As our community continues to grow, it’s important we help build the skilled workforce to meet local demand.”

Angus Graeme, president, Selkirk College –

“New equipment supports trades students and apprentices in programs like professional cooking, heavy mechanical and electrical. As we grow as an institution, we’re committed to providing great programs and a great experience, and building up our community.”

Shelley Gray, CEO, Industry Training Authority –

“The experience trades students get in their classrooms, labs and kitchens is so important to set them up for successful careers. When students have access to the most-up-to-date equipment, it’s really building skills that employers need, and that will allow them to excel in their future careers.”

Quick Facts:

• Nineteen public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C. were awarded $160,000 in fall 2018, for a total of $3 million to buy trades and technology equipment.
• Equipment is now in place, benefiting students training for careers in the skilled trades and technology.
• New equipment includes computerized plasma cutters for College of the Rockies’ welder program, and a rock truck for Selkirk’s heavy mechanical program.
• High-demand occupations in B.C. include millwrights, heavy duty mechanics and carpenters.
• High-demand occupations in the tech industry include civil engineering, computer and software engineering, programming, web development and technicians.
• The $3 million in equipment builds on the $5.4 million that was provided to 15 post-secondary institutions for trades and technology equipment in 2017.