This week we announced an investment of $3 million for technology and trades equipment upgrades at 20 public post-secondary institutions across the province, including Camosun College’s Interurban campus! This will help set students up to excel in their careers by providing them with a high-quality learning environment where they can learn with industry-grade equipment. Funding will help Camosun replace obsolete equipment with modern technology to fit the wide range of programs they offer, including programs ranging from the culinary arts to civil engineering to plumbing!
 

Tech and skilled trades jobs offer interesting and rewarding career opportunities for workers, and contribute to B.C.’s economy in a big way - and they are in high demand. According to the 2019 Labour Market Outlook, 75,000 tech-related job openings, such as computer programmers, engineers and software designers, are expected in the 10-year period from 2019-29. In the trades, approximately 73,000 job openings are expected during the same time in occupations such as millwrighting, carpentry, construction and heavy-duty machinery.
 

We are improving access to training and education while supporting the sector with more home-grown talent. Every year, B.C. invests $99 million in trades education through the Industry Training Authority, and this year alone, they expect to fund more than 27,000 apprenticeship and foundation training seats. We’re also funding 2900 more tech spaces at post-secondary institutions.
 
We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of people entering tech and skilled trades professions in B.C. and we continue to encourage more people to consider this career path. Including by creating more opportunities for women and Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour to enter the trades.

Sincerely,