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SALMON ARM – The Province is investing $3 million to help schools purchase new trades-training equipment so that students can learn with the latest tools, Education Minister Shirley Bond announced today.
“Getting a head start in an in-demand career while completing high school is a smart move,” said Bond during a visit to a culinary arts class at Salmon Arm secondary. “By giving students access to high-quality trades training in B.C. secondary schools, we’re making high school relevant to all students – not just those interested in going to university.”
Schools must have an Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training (ACE IT) program to qualify for the funding. ACE IT is an industry training program that allows high school students to take courses that will give them credit towards both high school graduation and towards completion of an apprenticeship or industry training program.
Skills Canada BC will administer the funding. To
qualify, school districts need to show how they plan to:
· add new or expand existing ACE IT programs;
· purchase or upgrade equipment; and
·
deliver
all or part of the ACE
IT program in a school or other district facility.
ACE IT offers students the chance to gain level one industry certification, which qualifies them to work as apprentices. Students get help transitioning from the classroom to the worksite while earning their high school diploma and learning specific trade skills.
“The province’s economy is booming, and there are more jobs in the trades than ever before,” said Shuswap MLA George Abbott. “Mix this robust economy with world-class trades-training programs and you’ve got a prosperous future for students here and across B.C.”
At Salmon Arm secondary, students
in the culinary arts program enjoy a kitchen with convection ovens, walk-in fridges, grills, deep fryers, and other
professional equipment. The in-school facility allows ACE IT students to work
toward their level one chef’s certification. The students prepare a range of
foods from pasta to turkey dinners, and the resulting meals are enjoyed in the
school’s cafeterias and at catered events in the district.
“Additional trades-training equipment means more
opportunities for students,” said Rob Chioccarello, executive director for
Skills Canada BC. “The equipment also helps raise the profile of
trades-training in schools. Students who haven’t been exposed to the trades
will take note and consider the many options.”
The $3 million for
trades-training equipment supports the Province’s Balanced Budget 2006, which
provides an additional $400 million to increase training and skills
development. The
Province earlier announced it is partnering with the Industry Training Authority to launch the $1.4-million Youth
Exploring Skills to Industry Training (YES 2 IT) trades awareness program for
students in grades 6 through 9.
Bond visited the North Okanagan-Shuswap school district as part of the
throne speech commitment that the Premier and/or the Minister of Education will
visit all 60 school districts in the coming months.
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For information on AchieveBC, visit http://www.achievebc.ca online.
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Ministry of Education 250 356-5963 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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