Trades training continues to be a high priority for BC’s government and the College of New Caledonia is the latest beneficiary.
CNC will receive $4.3 million through the Industry Trades Association to put toward increasing capacity in its high priority trades programs.
“With the number of job openings that we expect by 2024, we have to keep training people, making sure they’re getting great opportunities, especially closer to home,” says Jobs Minister Shirley Bond. “It’s really important that Industry Training Authority Funding continue to go to the College of New Caledonia.”
The investment will go toward creating more than 1700 seats in trades including welding, electrical, carpentry and the hugely popular heavy mechanic program. There’s currently a two year wait list to study heavy mechanical at CNC.
“This funding will make sure that key programs continue,” says Bond. “We’re continuing to work with the College of new Caledonia on a number of things, something I’m certainly a strong advocate for. Hopefully we’ll continue to see more good news for the college in the months ahead.”
Bond says the investment will help fill the 1 million jobs openings BC expects to have by 2024 due to economic growth and an aging workforce.