UFV will benefit from $187,000 invested into four different trades training programs. The B.C. government is providing the funds for purchasing new tools and equipment. As part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, the investment will be allotted to four specific programs to provide students with the skills training they need to enter the workforce.
The programs receiving new equipment — heavy-duty mechanical, automotive, plumbing, and carpentry — were selected because of the expected increase in demand for skilled tradespeople. Based on future economic development predictions, these trades have been prioritized for projects like the Pacific NorthWest LNG pipeline.
Over the next 10 years, the 2025 Labour Market Outlook forecasts 10,300 job openings for carpenters, 5,440 jobs for automotive service technicians, 2,800 for heavy duty equipment technicians, and 2,500 for plumbers.
Although some of the funding will be used to purchase new tools, much of it will go towards replacing and updating worn-out equipment. Rolf Arnold, associate dean of the Trades and Technology Centre is involved in the selection process.
“We had provided [the government] with a list of equipment that we needed, the list was much bigger than $187,000,” said Arnold. “But that’s what they allotted to us.”
Some of the equipment that UFV is currently looking to purchase includes a jointer / planer for carpentry, wheel alignment equipment for automotive, and a tire changer for heavy duty equipment.
“We have to choose from that list the items that we think are a priority and that will fit into the $187,000,” said Arnold.
Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness and Chilliwack MLA John Martin announced the funding last week at the UFV Trades and Technology Centre on behalf of advanced education minister Andrew Wilkinson.
“The funding we announced this week ($187,000 for trades training equipment) will add to our capacity, and I’ll be working hard to expand our skills training horizons in the future,” said Throness.
Predictions for job openings claim that there will be nearly 1 million positions by 2025 with 97,000 of those opening in 2017. To address this, the B.C. government has also provided additional funding to UFV for extra classes.
“We’ve been running with additional programs and putting through more students than normal because of their expected demand for tradespeople in various industries,” said Arnold.
Although jobs will increase across B.C. in general, there will also be major growth within the Fraser Valley.
“Just in Chilliwack, there is a growing demand for heavy duty mechanics, carpenters, and plumbers. Due to our first-class Trades and Technical Centre, Chilliwack is meeting that demand and more, becoming a hub for skills training in the Lower Mainland.” said Throness
There are currently more people retiring than joining the workforce and UFV will continue to address the growing job market by providing more courses as they see demand increase.
