July 20, 2012

Letter to the Editor

In response to: Canadian Construction Unions Council Aims to Improve Training (July 16, 2012)

To the Editor:

Dave Cole’s claim (July 16) that British Columbia has completely destroyed its apprenticeship system over the past 10-15 years is groundless.

The province invests over $100 million annually through the Industry Training Authority (ITA) to support skilled trades and certification in B.C. ITA provides more than 100 apprenticeship training programs in B.C., including more than 40 Red Seal trades (Canada’s Interprovincial Standards Program).

Currently there are more than 32,000 men and women participating in trades training in the province, more than double the number of apprentices registered when ITA was registered in 2004. Last year the system awarded more Certificates of Qualification to new skilled trades journeypersons than ever before (8,760 which is 20 per cent higher than the number in 2004).

ITA works with industry to set the standards for occupations that are aligned with B.C.’s economic needs. According to the recent B.C. Trade Occupations Outlook, B.C. can expect to experience a skilled labour shortage of at least 160,000 by 2015.

In order to ensure B.C. has the skilled workers with the labour market requirements needed, ITA and training providers work together to ensure the training system can respond to developing economic opportunities in the shipbuilding industry and the growth in the natural gas sector.

What’s most needed to continue improving B.C.’s apprenticeship system is for ITA, industry, employers, labour, training providers and government to work together to increase apprentice opportunities and to develop a culture of apprenticeship in B.C. Doing so will strengthen our skills training and certification system and in turn, ensure B.C. reaches its economic potential.

Kevin Evans
Chief Executive Officer
Industry Training Authority

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