The B.C. government is being pressed to head off workforce shortages of technology professionals by building a B.C. science and technology culture that stresses science, technology, engineering and math – so-called “STEM” subjects – in K-12.
“Everyone understands the importance of university education and trades training. But B.C. has not yet fully embraced a connection between education and career opportunities in applied science and engineering technology,” presenter John Leech told the select standing committee on finance and government services recently in Courtenay.
“ASTTBC applauds government for recently adding technical skills in addition to trades training as a priority in the BC Jobs Plan,” said the executive director of the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC, the ninth largest professional association in B.C. with over 10,000 members.
“A global 2102 survey found the occupations most difficult to fill were 1) skilled trades workers; 2) engineers; 3) sales representatives – many of these technical; 4) Technicians including ‘technologists’; and 5) IT staff (many are technologists and technicians).
