The B.C. government has proclaimed November 2022 as Apprenticeship Recognition Month for the fourth year in a row.
Throughout November, the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training and the Industry Training Authority (ITA) will be celebrating and acknowledging the contribution and value of apprentices, employer sponsors, youth program participants throughout B.C., and raising awareness of the benefits of a career in the skilled trades.
“There has never been a more exciting time to enter the skilled trades in B.C.,” said Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training Anne Kang. “With more than 85,000 new job openings in the trades over the next decade, we are making sure that apprentices have the supports they need to get in-demand, good paying jobs.”
Technical training in more than 70 trades programs is offered at 15 public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C., as well as employer and union trades training. The ITA funds approximately 27,000 apprenticeship and foundation training seats annually and works with more than 10,000 employer sponsors.
The Skilled Trades BC Act, passed in spring 2022, establishes a made-in-B.C. system to support and train apprentices and modernize the Crown agency responsible for trades training. Skilled trades certification will require people to register as an apprentice or be a certified journeyperson to work in one of the 10 initial mechanical, electrical and automotive trades.
The new legislation replaces the Industry Training Authority Act and transforms the Industry Training Authority into SkilledTradesBC, the modernized Crown agency responsible for skilled trades training in British Columbia.
The renewed focus of SkilledTradesBC reflects the expanded responsibilities associated with skilled trades certification, and a new focus on supporting apprentices and trainees throughout their training journey. SkilledTradesBC will remain the authority on trades training in B.C. with enhanced and streamlined services to help apprentices navigate training and get access to support.
