1,424 LNG training seats to B.C. trades students

Trades students will have access to more training seats, thanks to government’s $6.8-million investment in critical trades seats for public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.

This funding was announced at Vancouver Island University, as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint to increase training spaces and reduce wait times in trades critical to the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector and other industries.

The $6.8 million in funding will create 1,424 foundation and apprenticeship seats at 14 public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia as of September 2014.

The new seats are expected to reduce the top 12 LNG-related trades occupations waitlists by 37% overall. This means that student wait times will be reduced by an average of more than eight months. For example, wait times for the electrical program at Vancouver Island University and Northern Lights College will be reduced by 12 months.

Government initially announced $6.6 million for critical trades seats as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint on April 29, 2014. Funding allocations are based on the most-recent labour market data, on consultations with institutions, the Industry Training Authority and the Province’s Labour Market Priorities Board, as well as institutions’ current waitlists and capacity to add training seats.

A million job openings are expected in B.C. by 2022, with about 43% requiring college education or apprenticeship training. B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint lays out a comprehensive action plan to re-engineer education and training so British Columbia students and workers have the skills to be first-in-line for jobs in a growing economy.

Press Release, August 1, 2014