October 26, 2016 – The latest post-secondary investment from the British Columbia government is $4.16 million going to Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops for skills training in “high-priority” trades seats.

“The school of trades and technology at TRU puts Kamloops at the forefront of trades training in B.C., offering foundation and apprenticeship training in 20 disciplines. Continuing to invest in trades training at TRU means more people in and around Kamloops have the opportunity to get the training they need to meet the demands of the labour market,” said Terry Lake, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson.

The investment, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will fund 1588 seats through to March 31, 2017 in various trades, including electricians.

 “Our trades programs are a first stop for many employers when they are searching for highly skilled, job-ready graduates and apprentices, and today’s announcement allows us to build on that reputation,” said Baldev Pooni, interim dean of trades and technology, Thompson Rivers University. “This announcement further demonstrates how the ITA and B.C. government continue to lead by example by first listening to industry’s training needs, and then empowering TRU to deliver solutions.”