Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology
DELTA – The B.C. government is investing an additional $1.1 million to encourage students to pursue a future in skilled trades, John Yap, Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology announced recently.
“We want young people to see that a life-long career in the trades is a very smart choice, offering a secure future in a rewarding, respected, skilled and well-paying career,” said Yap.
“Under the BC Jobs Plan, and as part of our new Skills and Training Plan, we want to encourage more students in the K-to-12 system to be thinking about – and training for – careers in the trades.
“Raising the profile of careers in the skilled trades and engaging employers for the critical role they play in industry training will benefit B.C., industry, today’s apprentices and the skilled trades learners of tomorrow,” Yap said.
The funding will benefit students, apprentices, instructors and employers in a range of occupations through programs developed by Trades Training Consortium B.C., Skills Canada BC and the Industry Training Authority of B.C. (ITA).
A Discover Trades BC website – www.discovertradesbc.ca – has been launched that includes testimonials from fellow students and has workbooks and resources for primary, middle and secondary teachers to use in getting more students excited about trades work.
“The Discover Trades BC website helps students in the K-to-12 system think about, and train for, careers in the trades.
The website also provides teachers and parents with resources to introduce trades in the classroom and at home,” said Kelly Betts, project manager, Discover Trades BC and president, Skills Canada BC.
“Further to that, Skills Canada BC hosts 14 regional Olympic-style competitions, featuring the most talented trades and technology students from across the province.
“These events also provide opportunities for the thousands of youth who attend as spectators to explore the many career options that are available in the skilled trades and technologies. With the additional support from the provincial government, we’ll be able to expand our programming and provide even more opportunities for B.C. youth to explore their future career goals,” Betts said.
An investment of $300,000 will support the Industry Training Authority (ITA) to engage employers and improve their participation in training and hiring apprentices from post-secondary trades training programs. The ITA works with employers, employees, industry, labour, training providers and government to manage apprenticeships, set program standards, and increase opportunities in the trades.
