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VICTORIA – Government introduced legislation today that will lead to an effective, efficient, industry-led training and apprenticeship system that offers trainees more flexibility to meet their training needs.
“Our current system is not producing enough workers with the skills needed today, let alone tomorrow,” Advanced Education Minister Shirley Bond said. “It has failed to attract enough young people into the trades, and half of those starting apprenticeships have failed to complete.
“This legislation is the first step towards doing away with rigid regulations that have prevented the innovative approaches to training that will solve these problems. Through consultation with workers, trainees, educators and industry, we’re moving to a new, competency-based model that will help us fulfil our New Era commitment to increasing training and apprenticeships in trades and technical sectors.”
“Red Seal standards will be maintained, and British Columbia will continue to participate in developing national trade standards,” Bond added. “Traditional apprenticeships will continue to be supported, and other kinds of training will be added to provide more options,” Bond said.
Government will continue to approve provincial and interprovincial programs and credentials. Training must continue to meet safety standards required by such bodies as the Workers’ Compensation Board, Transport Canada and other agencies, in addition to the requirements of the province’s new Safety Standards Act.
Government is targeting a 30 per cent increase in trainees over the next three years, which would bring the total to 30,000. Industry is expected to take a large role in increasing the numbers of apprentices by promoting industry careers to B.C. students in all grades, as well as other potential trainees.
The government has allocated up to $78.5 million in this year’s budget for industry training. This includes funding for maintaining an appropriate government role, implementing the new system, new training programming, entry-level trades training, and pilot projects that will lead to more innovative and flexible training programs.
Under Bill 34, the Industry Training Authority Act, the Industry Training and Apprenticeship Commission will be replaced by the Industry Training Authority. The authority will be responsible for increasing the quality and quantity of training in B.C. A board of nine members – chosen by the minister for their experience, expertise and vision – will direct a chief executive officer and a small staff. The board will be appointed once the act is in place.
The authority will develop policy and regulations to guide public and private training institutions, which will work more closely with employers to prepare people for available jobs in all regions of the province.
“Colleges and other institutions are already working to open up new apprenticeship programs that respond to the needs of local industry,” Bond said. “As a result, more people will be able to enter these fields because they can train close to home, and employers will have the skilled workers they need to contribute to a prosperous B.C. economy.”
Some of these changes are already in place in Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Ontario. In addition, a number of other countries, including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, have implemented competency-based training systems.
“This new direction in trades training is important for the automotive aftermarket industry,” said Bob Clarke, executive director of the Automotive Retailers Association. “As baby boomers reach retirement age, we – like many other industries – are facing a huge skills shortage. We need changes in the delivery of training now, to help our industry meet that challenge. More accessible, relevant and flexible training will attract the auto mechanical repair technicians, auto-body repair technicians and automotive machinists B.C. needs in the coming years.”
“Home building is one of the fastest-growing industries in B.C., but we need a highly skilled and adapatable workforce,” said Eric Gerrits, president of the Canadian Home Builders Association of B.C. “This new model of industry training will support the professionalism we need in the home building trades to create a vibrant and affordable housing market for British Columbians.”
During transition to the new model, an Industry Training Centre has been set up in Metrotown in Burnaby to provide services to apprentices, tradesworkers and employers provincewide through a toll-free number, 1-866-660-6011. Apprentices and trainees can also contact a college, university college or the British Columbia Institute of Technology for program information.
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