December 5, 2014
DAWSON CREEK – BC’s construction employers have provided $14,000 in grant funding to support skilled trades training in the Peace River South School District through the Project Shop Class initiative. The funds were presented today at the Dawson Creek Secondary School and will go towards the purchase of much need equipment for their shop classes.
“These grants are made possible through the generous donations of industry employers and Northern Development Initiative Trust. They are confirmation of our collective commitment to invest in the future of our youth,” remarked Rosalind Thorn, President of the BC Construction Association ‐ North. “This is the type of collaborative initiative we need in Northern BC in order to open up access to new opportunities for our local students”.
Bryant Bird of Shell Canada, a major contributor to the initiative, was on hand to speak to a crowd of students, local government, industry and businesses. “We are very pleased to be part of this worthy initiative. With the shortage of skilled workers that BC is facing we must encourage our youth to consider a career in the trades and having up to date equipment in shop classes results in a stronger introduction to the trades.”
Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier stated, “through the BC Skills for Jobs Blueprint, our government is working to ensure that we align skills training with job market demands to prepare our students for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Thanks to the generosity of the Construction Foundation of BC, who are providing necessary equipment for our South Peace students, our students will be provided exposure to trades training that could lead to possible careers that are in high demand in this region.”
Currently, just 1 in 85 new high school graduates in British Columbia enter the construction trades within one year of graduation. For BC to address predicted skilled trades shortages of at least 26,000 workers by 2023, that number must be closer to 1 in 5.
Project Shop Class is an initiative of the Construction Foundation of BC and aims to encourage young British Columbians to develop practical skills and pursue careers in the skilled trades.
The Construction Foundation of BC is the charitable arm of the Construction Associations of BC: BC Construction Association, BCCA North, Southern Interior Construction Association, Vancouver Island Construction Association and the Vancouver Regional Construction Association.
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(This release available in PDF)
