Dawson Creek – The British Columbia government announced today an investment of $1.9 million in Northern Lights College for skills training in high-priority trades seats.
The investment, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will fund 639 seats at NLC through to March 31, 2017, in various trades, including:
- Aircraft maintenance engineer
- Heavy mechanical trades
- Electrician
- Welder
- Carpenter
The funding is part of the ITA’s allocation to B.C. post-secondary institutions and training providers to run various training programs throughout the province.
“This investment in Northern Lights College will ensure residents of the Peace have access to training in high-priority trades so they are ready to respond to the job opportunities to come. Trades training investments like this are essential to sustaining the upward momentum of B.C.’s economy.”
Mike Bernier, MLA for Peace River South
In response to the objectives outlined in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and the McDonald Report, the B.C. government has worked in partnership with the ITA to begin building a demand-driven trades training system with funding aligned to specific in-demand trades.
The provincial government invests more than $94 million annually in industry training through the ITA. The ITA leads and co-ordinates British Columbia’s skilled trades system by working with employers, employees, industry, labour, training providers and government to issue credentials, manage apprenticeships, set program standards and increase opportunities in the trades.
