Skills for Jobs Blueprint - Re-engineering Education and Training in BC
The Government of British Columbia recently announced a new comprehensive strategy to re-engineer BC’s education and apprenticeship systems, entitled “B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: Re-engineering Education and Training”.
The BC government stated that it currently invests more than $7.5 billion annually in education and training. By re-engineering BC’s education and training system, the government hopes to ensure that it's resources are meeting the labour market demands and priorities and to put British Columbians first in line to fill the one million job openings expected by 2022 in the province.
Beginning shortly, over $160 million will be redirected toward training for high-demand occupations. That amount will reach nearly $400 million annually. Success will be measured and funding and programs adjusted as the economy evolves.
The Blueprint promises to give young people a seamless path from school through to the workplace and has a strong focus on labour needs throughout the province, including those of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, The plan sets out three objectives to maximize the potential of BC’s workforce:
- A head start to hands-on learning in our schools
- A shift in education and training to better match jobs in demand
- A stronger partnership with industry and labour to deliver training and apprenticeships
As part of the launch of B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, government is also releasing the final results of the Industry Training Authority (ITA) review. The final report sets out a further 29 recommendations to strengthen B.C.’s trades training system and increase the number of apprentices and certified tradespeople in priority sectors like LNG. Amrik Virk, Minister of Advanced Education, stated that “the shift aligning education and training to occupations that our economy needs is just one of the ways that our government is making sure that B.C. is ready and that our students and workers are first in line for B.C. jobs.”
