SAANICH – Saanich South MLA Lana Popham is welcoming $160,000 from the province that will provide new equipment for trades and technology students studying at Camosun College. The funding announcement of $160,000 for trades and technology equipment comes during Apprenticeship Recognition Week in British Columbia.

“We’re supporting the hard-working students in our trades and technology programs by giving them updated equipment to get the skills they need to be part of their local workforce,” said Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich-South. “Trades and technology students can do what they love and make important contributions to our communities, where the skills they are building are in high demand.”

The funding will be used to buy new and replace aging trades and technology equipment. Examples of trades training equipment purchased by various post-secondary institutions last year include a used Prius for automotive programs, various types of saws for construction trades programs, and equipment for culinary programs. Technology equipment purchased last year included IPads, 3D printers, new servers and wind and solar energy training equipment.

Quick Facts:

• Apprenticeship Recognition Week is Nov. 4-10, 2018. This is the fourth year B.C. has proclaimed Apprenticeship Recognition Week to celebrate and recognize apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses, and the economy.
• Trades and technology workers are in high demand in B.C. It’s anticipated our economy will have 82,300 job openings in technology and 70,900 job openings in the trades by 2028.
• High-demand trades occupations in B.C. include millwrights, heavy duty mechanics and carpenters.
• High demand occupations in the tech industry include civil engineering, computer and software engineering, programming, web development and technicians.
• The ITA funded more than 26,000 apprenticeship seats last year in more than 100 trades programs at 15 public post-secondary institutions, as well as private post-secondary institutions.
• The $3 million in equipment funding builds on $5.4 million provided to 15 post-secondary institutions for trades and technology equipment last year.