B.C. to invest $241M, doubling skilled trades-training funding

The Government of British Columbia announced that during the next three years it will double trades-training funding and permanently strengthen B.C.’s trades-training system, through a $241-million investment in skilled trades.

“This is about creating opportunity – giving more British Columbians the chance to train for good jobs with bigger paycheques and a more secure future,” said Premier David Eby. “Across the province, major projects in construction, clean energy, mining and advanced technology are moving forward, and we need to make sure British Columbians benefit. By dramatically expanding skills training, we ensure projects can move without delay, and that British Columbians are first in line for these jobs.”

This milestone investment will:

• increase per-seat funding for apprentice programs;
• address waiting lists for critical industrial trades, ensuring faster access to training;
• advance skilled-trades certification, beginning with crane operators; and
• as opportunities evolve, ensure workers can move easily between industries.

“Today’s historic investment strengthens our trades training system, one that is essential to building our province’s future,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “When education and skills training respond to the needs of communities, we ensure that working people get better access to good-paying jobs and people in British Columbia are first in line for the opportunities that lie ahead. By doubling down on trades training, we’re ensuring we can deliver on major projects, grow our economy and secure British Columbia’s future.”

“To deliver the provincial capital plan and the many private-investment projects in B.C., we need more highly skilled and certified tradespeople,” said Brynn Bourke, executive director, BC Building Trades. “This funding will allow our joint board and union training schools to deliver on this and serve the needs of the industry. We welcome this historic investment in our trades-training system and we look forward to partnering with the government to foster the next generation of skilled-trade workers.”

Collaboration with unions, industry and post-secondary partners is central to building the programs and workforce B.C. needs. Through these partnerships, the Province is expanding access to training that connects people with well-paying, high-demand jobs, and helping more people in British Columbia build secure futures, while supporting the labour force needed to drive economic growth.

“With this historic investment in skilled trades, we are not only investing to meet today’s needs, but we are laying the foundation for a thriving and prosperous future. Together with our partners, we are committed to ensuring more people in British Columbia can benefit from these well-paying, resilient and rewarding careers,” said Shelley Gray, CEO, SkilledTradesBC.

Featured image: (BC Government)