B.C. pledges $241M to double skilled-trades funding

Key Takeaways:

• The province is investing $241 million to double skilled-trades training funding, expand apprenticeship seats, and reduce waitlists to address labour shortages across key sectors.
• The funding marks the first major boost in nearly 20 years and will support certification efforts, especially for crane operators, while helping workers move more easily between industries.
• Union, industry and post-secondary leaders say the investment will help training schools meet rising demand and ensure British Columbians are first in line for jobs tied to major construction, clean energy, mining and tech projects.

The Whole Story:

B.C. is investing $241 million over three years to double skilled-trades training funding and address labour shortages across construction, clean energy, mining and advanced technology sectors, the province said Wednesday.

The landmark investment will increase per-seat funding for apprentice programs, reduce waiting lists for critical industrial trades, and advance skilled-trades certification beginning with crane operators, the government said in a news release.

“This is about creating opportunity – giving more British Columbians the chance to train for good jobs with bigger paycheques and a more secure future,” Premier David Eby said. “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.”

The funding represents the first major increase in skilled-trades training in nearly two decades. British Columbia currently has nearly 50,000 registered apprenticeships and more than 11,000 high school participants, according to the province. SkilledTradesBC oversees nearly 90 trades programs and funds nearly 28,000 apprenticeship and foundation-training seats at public, union and private institutions.

Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, said the investment strengthens the province’s ability to deliver on major projects while ensuring workers can access good-paying jobs.

“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,” Sunner said.

The funding will also enable workers to move more easily between industries as opportunities evolve, the province said.

Brynn Bourke, executive director of BC Building Trades, said the investment will allow union training schools to meet industry demand.

“To deliver the provincial capital plan and the many private-investment projects in B.C., we need more highly skilled and certified tradespeople,” Bourke said. “This funding will allow our joint board and union training schools to deliver on this and serve the needs of the industry.”

Since 2017, seven trades have been introduced as skilled-trades certification trades, with nine more identified for future introduction, including tower and mobile-crane operators.

The province said collaboration with unions, industry and post-secondary institutions is central to building the programs and workforce B.C. needs.