August 5, 2014 – The Government of British Columbia has announced a $6.8-million investment in trades seats for public post-secondary institutions through B.C. as part of its Skills for Jobs Blueprint. The new 1424 foundation and apprenticeship seats are expected to increase training spaces and reduce wait times by 37% in trades critical to the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector, including industrial electricians.

“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,” explained the province.

Seats will be available to students as early as this September.

Here is a breakdown of seats and funding pertaining to the electrical trade:

• Selkirk College will receive $245,000 as well as an additional 54 training spaces, including $214,000 to fund the additional seats, and $31,000 in operating and equipment funding to support delivery of training programs. Of the 54 training spaces added to Selkirk College, 16 are dedicated to electrician foundation.
• The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) will receive funding for an additional 194 training spaces, which includes 54 electrician foundation seats and 32 electrician apprenticeship seats. It will receive a total of $872,000: $807,000 to fund the new seats and an additional $65,000 in operating and equipment funding.
• Northwest Community College (NWCC) will receive $485,000 in funding, including $387,000 for an additional 100 training spaces, and $98,000 in operating and equipment funding to support delivery of training programs. The new seats include 50 electrical foundation seats and 32 electrician apprenticeship seats.
• Thompson Rivers University (TRU) will receive $265,000 to support an additional 52 seats, which include 18 electrician foundation seats.
• Camosun College will receive $423,000 in seat funding for 90 trades seats, including 36 electrician foundation seats.
• Vancouver Island University will receive a total of $837,000: $727,000 for an additional 132 seats; and $110,000 in operating and equipment funding to support delivery of training programs. The seats include 36 electrician foundation seats.
• College of New Caledonia will receive $143,000 in total funding, including $96,000 in seat funding and $47,000 in operating funding. Of the 56 new seats, 16 are dedicate to electrician apprenticeship.
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University will receive $259,000 in seat funding for 68 additional seats, including 18 electrician foundation and 32 electrician apprenticeship seats.
• Northern Lights College will receive $438,000 in funding, including $226,000 to fund 75 new seats and $212,000 in operating funding. 32 of the new seats include electrician apprenticeship seats.
• Okanagan College will receive $928,000 in seat funding for 203 additional seats, 86 of which include electrician foundation seats.

“This funding helps Northwest Community College target our waitlists and increased demand for courses such as electrical foundation/apprenticeship and heavy duty mechanic foundation. This timely announcement will help us provide programs in our region that meet the needs of our learners and industry,” said interim college president Denis Caron.

Last week, B.C. announced a $1.35-million investment and 272 additional seats to the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT).

“We are ensuring that training decisions are driven by industry-validated data and up-to-date sector information so that British Columbians have the right training to achieve long-term, well-paying jobs in Liquefied Natural Gas and other industries. Our commitment in the Skills for Jobs Blueprint is to increase access and reduce waitlists for trades training that supports the needs of B.C.’s industry, employers, workers and families,” added Shirley Bond, minister of jobs, tourism & skills training, as well as minister responsible for labour.

The province announced an initial $6.6 million in April 2014 for critical trades seats as part of its Skills for Jobs Blueprint. 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, and current waitlists, institutions’ capacity to add training seats, it noted.