Construction is well underway at the new Okanagan College trades complex that will open next year.

Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson was joined by Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick, Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson, Okanagan College board chair Tom Styffe and Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton for a tour of the complex.

The renovated and expanded complex will feature much-needed space for 2,400 students per year to study and will be home to a range of trades programs, such as electrical, plumbing and welding.

The Government of British Columbia is contributing $28 million toward the total cost of the project, which is approximately $33 million.

Why It Matters:

• British Columbia expects one million job openings by 2022 in a range of occupations.
• More than 78% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, and 44% of jobs will be in skilled trades and technical occupations.
• Approximately 13% of the one million projected job openings are for trade occupations in British Columbia.

(flickr.com)

Quick Facts:

• B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint was launched on April 29, 2014, to align funding and programs to a data-driven system where training dollars and programs target in-demand occupations.
• Government has been investing in key programs and services to help students and British Columbians get the skills and training needed for in-demand occupations.
• Part of that investment includes $185 million over three years in infrastructure and equipment for skills and trades training throughout the province.
• Investments in Okanagan College since the launch of the Blueprint in April 2014 include:
  • $1.7 million for 355 critical trades seats.
  • $1.7 million for industry-standard trades training equipment.
  • $75,000 in 2014-15 to pilot innovative training and initiatives to increase the success of persons with disabilities.
  • $72,000 in 2015-16 for Trades Discovery programs that introduce high-school students and young adults to a variety of high demand trades.
  • $50,000 in 2015-16 to develop programs to support people with disabilities to access and succeed in training aligned with in-demand jobs.
  • $50,000 in 2015-16 to pilot short-term coding programs.

Learn More at:  www.workbc.ca