ABBOTSFORD - Students across British Columbia will have new opportunities for skills training, thanks to $10 million in one-time funding being provided to 16 B.C. public post-secondary institutions to prepare workers for jobs in their regions.
“The funding we’re announcing is helping to train-up workers for the current job market,” said Minister of Advanced Education Naomi Yamamoto “It’s another key step in the BC Jobs Plan to deliver the right mix of workers, with the right skills in the right regions, to meet local labor demands. The students you see competing here today are our future welders, carpenters, automotive repair and IT people - they’re among our province’s best and are no doubt well on their way to rewarding careers.”
Yamamoto made the announcement at the 18th annual BC Skills Competition in Abbotsford, where approximately 400 secondary, post-secondary and apprenticeship students demonstrated their developing skills as future welders, carpenters and other exciting careers.
The funding, made available through the Canada - British Columbia Labor Market Development Agreement, will go toward short-term training determined on an institution-to-institution basis to ensure it meets local training needs. Possible examples of training include an introduction to trades, heavy equipment operation, professional truck driving, road building, commercial transport vehicle mechanic, diesel engine mechanic or industrial electrician.
Over the next decade, British Columbia is projected to have over one million job openings. The BC Jobs Plan will ensure the over $500 million provided annually for labor market and training programs is targeted to meeting regional and industry labor market needs.