TRU and ITA announce plan to develop Canada’s first Trades degree programs
KAMLOOPS – BC’s newest university has unveiled plans to open the door to degrees for journeyperson trades and technical program graduates across the country.
Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, officially inaugurated as BC’s newest provincial university two weeks ago, has announced a partnership with the Industry Training Authority (ITA) to develop Canada’s first undergraduate degree programs for the trades.
The ITA will provide up to $246,000 in funding for TRU to begin analysis, planning and articulation with trades qualifications as part of a two phase program to develop three new programs over the next two years:
- Diploma in Trades & Technology
- Bachelor of Trades & Technology
- Bachelor of Technical Education (Secondary) (B.Ed)
TRU has already begun investing funds in the project, and will also fund the delivery of these programs once they have been through all internal and external approval processes.
The Diploma program will allow Journeypersons and those with other levels of trades training to complete a full two-year credential, as the first step towards their degree. Development will be undertaken in partnership with Kwantlen University College, through their Centre of Excellence in Trades.
The Bachelor of Trades & Technology degree will allow Trades Diploma graduates, as well as Technicians and Technologists who are graduates of other two-year diploma programs, to complete another 60 credits of study to earn their degree. The proposed new degree would provide a strong emphasis on leadership, and offer students the choice of a number of concentrations, from Project or Budget Management to Communications.
Ralph Finch, Dean of the TRU School of Trades and Technology is excited by the new initiative, saying that “I am very pleased that BC and Canada will have a degree dedicated to the advancement of Journeypersons, Technicians and Technologists who require an academic credential to advance their careers.”
The Bachelor of Technical Education (Secondary) (B.Ed) would allow graduates of the new Trades degree to then complete a teaching credential, in a 12-month program, to meet the growing shortage of trained trades educators in the public education system.
Kathryn McNaughton, Dean of the TRU School of Education, says that “establishing a degree program to prepare secondary teachers of trades and technical areas has been a goal of the schools involved for several years. We are pleased with the support we are receiving from educational partners in the field, and appreciate the development funding provided by the Industry Training Authority.”
These programs, which will make use of all forms of program delivery in order to be highly flexible and responsive, are designed to meet the needs of experienced skilled workers who are interested in expanding their education, without necessarily leaving their workplace responsibilities for any length of time.
The development process for these new programs will include the creation of a 14-15 member National Program Advisory Council to provide critical feedback and advice throughout the process.
ITA Chief Executive Officer, Brian Clewes, said the ITA is pleased about the partnership and the establishment of trades degree programs at TRU, because they will open new doors for people interested in careers in the skilled trades.
“Programs like this are proof of the career development potential offered by the trades. A journeyperson can go on to a management or teaching career, or choose to start their own successful small business.”
Dr. Mark Evered, Vice-President, Academic and Provost of TRU, believes the new trades initiative is the first of it’s kind in North America, and is an excellent example of how TRU is already responding to the economic and educational needs of the province, as the most flexible and innovative university in Canada today.
“In developing the new Bachelor of Trades & Technology degree for tradespersons and technical graduates, we envision using every possible means of delivery to create maximum flexibility for students. From distance education and on-line courses through our new Open Learning division, to the extensive use of Prior Learning Assessment and field-based practica, we will be working to create programs that truly meet the needs of our 21st century workforce and economy in British Columbia.
“Graduates of these programs will play key leadership roles as facilities or maintenance managers, training and development designers, educators, managers and owners in both heavy and light industry, and as leaders in the communities where they work and live.”
Planning and development is already underway, and over the next year, TRU and its partners will work towards completion of program proposals for submission to both internal and external program approval processes, with a target date for implementation as early as the fall of 2006.
For information, contact Josh Keller, Director, Public Relations & Recruitment, Marketing and Communications: 250-828-5008
