VICTORIA - A record-breaking number of skilled tradespersons have qualified as journeypersons this year, announced Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell while touring Camosun College's carpentry program.

Photos from the announcement (flic.kr)

Nearly 8,760 Certificates of Qualification have been awarded by the Industry Training Authority (ITA) for the 2011-12 year - more than ever before, at a time when B.C.'s economy needs them the most. This is the highest number of certificates awarded since the ITA was established in 2004, and represents a 20 per cent increase over 2010-11, when 7,318 certificates were awarded.

A Certificate of Qualification, known on the job site as a "ticket", is a highly-prized credential issued to skilled tradespersons who meet industry-developed standards for theoretical knowledge and workplace proficiency within a trade, either through completing an apprenticeship or successfully completing a challenge assessment. With it, a tradesperson can command full market value as a journeyperson and act as a mentor for other apprentices.

It's estimated that in the next decade British Columbia will have over one million job openings - including an estimated 104,600 openings in the trades. New projects like the federal shipbuilding contract won by Seaspan and the Northwest Transmission Line are creating trades jobs now and in the coming years - jobs that need to be filled by skilled workers.

Quotes:

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation -

"There are great opportunities in our province for skilled workers, and now more than ever we need men and women to choose a career in the trades. Whether you're entering the workforce for the first time, re-entering it or changing careers, there is an opportunity in the trades for you. It's an exciting career path, and it's great to see that this year we're seeing a record-breaking number of apprentices qualifying for their certification."

Kevin Evans, CEO, Industry Training Authority -

"This milestone achievement provides evidence that B.C.'s industry training system is performing at the level required to meet B.C.'s skilled labour demands. The record demand for an ITA credential demonstrates how highly-valued it is by both employers and skilled tradespeople."

Quick Facts:

• The BC Jobs Plan will ensure the over $500 million provided annually for labour market and training programs is targeted to meeting regional and industry labour market needs.
• Government invests over $100 million annually in industry training through the Industry Training Authority (ITA) - the provincial Crown agency responsible for overseeing B.C.'s industry training and apprenticeship system. This investment is almost $33 million (or 45 per cent) higher than it was in 2004 when the ITA was established.
• There are currently more than 32,000 apprentices in the system - more than double the number of apprentices registered when ITA was created in 2004.
• Aboriginal participation in apprenticeship training at public post-secondary institutions increased 103 per cent between 2006 and 2011. For the 2011-12 fiscal year, the ITA invested over $3.13 million (Labour Market Agreement funding) in Aboriginal Initiatives trades training programs.
• The B.C. Training Tax Credit program has been extended for an additional three years to the end of 2014. Through approximately $31 million in annual funding, the apprenticeship training tax credit program encourages employers and apprentices to participate in and complete apprenticeship programs offered in B.C.

Learn More:

To learn more about the B.C. Training Tax Credit program, visit: http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/business/income_taxes/ttc/

Industry Training Authority: http://www.itabc.ca

For more information on the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement, visit:

http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/labourmarketagreement/

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Looking for a one-stop resource for the working world? Visit WorkBC: http://www.workbc.ca/

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-7104

Marissa Bushe
Senior Account Manager
Edelman Vancouver
604 623-3007 x. 285