B.C. invests $241 million in trades training to boost labour for major projects

British Columbia's government is investing $241 million over the next three years to boost trades training in a bid to support labour demands anticipated for upcoming major projects.

Premier David Eby made the announcement in Esquimalt on Friday, noting that the funding is B.C.'s first major increase in skilled trades training in almost 20 years.

The province said the goal of the extra funding is to connect British Columbians, especially young people looking for a long-term home in the province, with "well-paying, high-demand jobs" that are expected to emerge with a number of major projects on the horizon.

Eby said he has heard from both young people concerned about their long-term future in the province and proponents of major projects worried about access to skilled labour.

The trades training funding, Eby said, addresses both of those concerns.

"The answer (to), 'can we build things in British Columbia, Is there a future for young people in British Columbia?' Is the exact same answer," he said. "And the one word answer is, absolutely. Here we go."

The province said the $241-million investment is a doubling of existing funding and will be spent on boosting apprentice programs and ensuring faster access to training in critical industrial trades that have waiting lists for workers.

The funding will also help advance certification for certain skilled trades, starting with crane operators.

B.C. now has four nation-building projects listed among those being considered by Ottawa for fast-tracking, after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the additions of Ksi Lisims LNG and the North Coast Transmission Line while he was in Terrace on Thursday. 

LNG Canada Phase 2 in Kitimat and the expansion of the Red Chris copper mine in northwestern B.C. are already on that list, and Eby said the projects will require trades workers to "show up" and "make it real."

"By dramatically expanding skills training, we ensure projects can move without delay, and that British Columbians are first in line for these jobs," Eby said.

Post-Secondary Education Minister Jessie Sunner joined Eby for the announcement and said society has been sending the wrong message about the trades being a "backup plan" for young people in case they don't get into university.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," she said, noting that B.C. "cannot build the future we want" without skilled trades. 

"I want this announcement to send a new message," Sunner said. "Building the world around us is one of most important professions that you can have. 

"It is challenging, but it is also deeply rewarding to drive past our schools, our bridges, our hospitals and say, 'I built that.' And you build our province, you build our country, and you truly build our future." 

The province said there is currently a record number of people registering as apprentices with almost 50,000 across the province, as well as more than 11,000 participants from high school.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck