The B.C. Chamber of Commerce is welcoming new trades training capacity delivered under B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint.
The provincial government has announced it will fund 272 new trades training seats at B.C. Institute of Technology this fall.
“As B.C. gears up for major northern development and the unprecedented LNG opportunity, there’s no time to lose in training British Columbians,” said John Winter, B.C. chamber president and chief executive officer.
“We’re very pleased to see government taking needed action on funding trades-training capacity and hope to see further similar announcements at other vocational schools around B.C.”
Winter commended government for taking swift action under its Skills for Jobs Blueprint.
“The blueprint presents a lot of great ideas for more closely tailoring training opportunities to B.C.’s job market, but its success depends on the action it delivers,” he said.
“We’re encouraged to see the government taking swift action to deliver on those ideas.”
As the provincial government steps up the investment in trades training, Winter is encouraging B.C.’s business community to throw its weight behind needed apprenticeship programs.
“We encourage B.C. employers to invest today in B.C. youth by helping grow apprenticeship opportunities.”
BCIT will receive $1.35 million from the government, with $798,000 to fund the additional 272 seats and $553,000 in operating funds for minor equipment.
The additional seats include:
32 steam/pipefitter apprenticeship seats.
32 welder foundation seats.
16 crane operator apprenticeship seats.
32 electrician foundation seats.
32 electrician apprenticeship seats.
32 ironworker apprenticeship seats.
16 heavy duty equipment mechanic foundation seats.
80 heavy duty equipment mechanic apprenticeship seats.
