DAWSON CREEK – Business owners who employ Apprentices in any of several trades disciplines have a unique opportunity to play a role in how their employees are trained.
Northern Lights College is hosting several meetings in October featuring representatives from two of the Industry Training Organizations (ITOs) that establish the training and certification guidelines, monitor training, and develop new programs for Apprentices in the province of British Columbia.
The Transportation Career Development Association (transCDA) and Construction Industry Training Organization (CITO) will be holding meetings at each of the Dawson Creek and Fort St. John campuses.
TransCDA is responsible for programs that include the following offered at NLC: Commercial Transport Technician, Heavy Duty Equipment Technician, and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME). CITO oversees Apprentices in programs that include the following offered at NLC: Carpentry, Electrician and Plumber/Gasfitter.
“Workers in northern British Columbia are faced with challenges unlike those experienced in other parts of the province,” said Pam Eales, Trades and Apprenticeship Coordinator at NLC. “These sessions will provide employers in our region with the chance to provide face-to-face feedback on their needs to the Industry Training Organizations that make decisions on behalf of these employers.”
For example, a transCDA proposal to the Industry Training Authority would see changes to the Foundation and Apprenticeship level curriculum for heavy mechanical trades (including Heavy Duty Equipment Technician and Commercial Transport Technician).
Eales said she also hopes to see employers from the aerospace industry in attendance at a special session.
“Changes are being considered to help address the shortage of skilled labour in the aerospace industry,” Eales said. “Employer voices need to be heard to make sure any changes meet their needs.”
NLC offers training and certification in 11 Apprenticeship trades programs, and six certified trades programs.
For more information on or to confirm attendance at one of the ITO information sessions, contact Pam Eales at 250-784-7605. For information on Trades and Apprenticeship programs at NLC, check the website at nlc.bc.ca.
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Schedule of Industry Training Organization meetings:
transCDA
Monday, Oct. 17
6:30-8:30 pm
Fort St. John Campus, Room 202 (UNBC wing)
Tuesday, Oct. 18
7:30-9:30 am
Dawson Creek Campus, Health Science Building auditorium
transCDA (AME)
Tuesday, Oct. 18
10:30 to 12 noon
Dawson Creek Campus, Regional Administration boardroom (teleconference)
CITO
Thursday, Oct. 20
6:30-8:30 pm
Fort St. John Campus, Room 2-115
Friday, Oct. 21
7:30-9:30 am
Dawson Creek Campus, Health Sciences Building auditorium