New trades equipment will help set up students in B.C.’s Thompson and Nicola regions with the skills they need for rewarding careers.

Students at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) and Thompson Rivers University (TRU) 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 for 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:

Ken Tourand, president, NVIT –

“Experiential learning is at the heart of NVIT. Updated equipment ensures NVIT learners train with contemporary equipment and technologies used by industry and future employers. At NVIT, learners engage in training that provides the platform for learners to be confident in their knowledge, skills and abilities as they pursue further training and employment.”

Brett Fairbairn, president, TRU –

“TRU’s highly skilled trades graduates are known for their hands-on, practical experience and are a reflection of our commitment to exceptional post-secondary education and a strong connection with our communities. Training on up-to-date equipment ensures they can start their careers with the best possible foundation.”

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 of 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 kitchen equipment for NVIT’s professional cooking program and aluminum welding tools for its inaugural welding program, as well as an electrical motor circuit trainer for TRU’s electrical programs.
• 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.