Joint release:
Ministry of Economic Development
Industry Training Authority
Thompson Rivers University
KAMLOOPS – The Industry Training Authority has passed another milestone in its goals to increase the supply of skilled workers in the trades. Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen was at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops today to recognize the 10,000th apprenticeship employer.
“Employers tell us that the value of apprentices to their organization exceeds training costs by the second year of apprenticeship or earlier,” said Hansen. “With 40 per cent of new jobs over the next two decades predicted to be in trades and technologies, the contribution of B.C. employers to trades training is also of vital importance to our booming economy.”
Pacific Coast Heavy Truck was recognized as the 10,000 employer to register an apprentice with ITA. Three other local employers were also recognized for their longstanding support of apprentice training: Highland Valley Copper, Interior Plumbing and Heating Ltd., and James Western Star Sterling Ltd. Together, the four companies have approximately 90 apprentices registered in a number of trades. Most of these apprentices take their technical training at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).
“Our School of Trades and Technology plays a pivotal role in this region’s economy by being able to react to industry’s need for skilled apprentices,” said Ralph Finch, Dean of Trades and Technology at TRU, speaking to TRU’s participation in several industry advisory panels within the region and province.
The recognition event was held at the TRU’s Centre for Trades and Technology. TRU offers diverse apprenticeship training opportunities; construction and mechanical trades, culinary arts and retail meat cutting. Earlier this year, the university became the first in Canada to offer a Bachelor of Leadership in Trades and Technology degree. This fall, an industrial electrical apprenticeship program was added to the school’s offerings, and in February TRU will offer glazier training, a program that only TRU will offer outside the Lower Mainland.
“Committed employers like these are absolutely essential to the success of our industry training system,” said Kevin Evans, ITA’s Chief Executive Officer. “They provide about 80 per cent of an apprentice’s training on-the-job. In return, they are rewarded with a loyal and highly skilled workforce.”
Established in 2004 to oversee and expand B.C.’s industry training and apprenticeship system, the Industry Training Authority works with industry and employers, trainees and apprentices, labour unions and training providers to meet industry’s current and future training needs.
As of Oct. 31 in B.C., there are 37,242 apprentices/trainees registered with ITA, up 154 per cent since 2004; 10,120 employers, up 50 per cent; and 4,948 youth participants taking part in programs such as ACE IT and the Secondary School Apprenticeship program, up 475 per cent since 2004.
For more information please contact:
Ralph Finch, TRU Dean of Trades and Technology
Phone: 250-828-5125
Email: rfinch@tru.ca Link to pdf of Minister Coilin Hansen’s release
