Several educational institutions, including Okanagan College, will receive a portion of the $75 million in funding that is being distributed throughout B.C. to help meet industry demand and ensure quality training in high priority trades.
British Columbia's Premier Christy Clark and the Industry Training Authority (ITA) announced the $75 million in funding on Monday, which will be spread out to different private and public training providers. A total $13 million in funding will be distributed throughout the Okanagan.
According to Chief Executive Officer for the ITA Gary Herman, Okanagan College will be the largest recipient of the $13 million chunk of funding set aside for institutions in the Valley. The funding will contribute to apprenticeship training and pre-apprenticeship or foundation training.
“In order to meet B.C.’s future labour market demands, it is critical that British Columbians can get the skills they need for the jobs of the future,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour. “For training to be effective it must align with both industry and community needs, and the allocation of this funding is intended to ensure that training providers are ready to meet those needs.”
According to the provincial government, trades workers for industries such as LNG, oil and gas, mining, shipbuilding, and hydro will be in high demand throughout B.C. in the near future.
This funding is a part of the B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, which was designed to ensure British Columbians are first in line for in-demand jobs.
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