Skilled trades students in the North Vancouver and West Vancouver School Districts will benefit from a three-year, $15-million investment by the B.C. government to support youth trades programs with the purchase of new trades training equipment. School District 44 (North Vancouver) is receiving $195,886 over the next three years to purchase equipment including a centrifugal casting machine, table saws and spot welders. School District 45 (West Vancouver) is receiving $101,841 over the next three years to purchase equipment including CO2 laser cutters, metal lathes and band saws.
The Youth Trades Capital Equipment Program will see $7.5 million dispersed during the current school year. The remaining $7.5 million will be distributed in 2017-18 ($4 million) and 2018-19 ($3.5 million). Fifty-nine B.C. school districts are receiving youth trades capital funding over the next three years.
The Youth Trades Capital Equipment Program is designed to:
- Increase participation and successful completion of youth trades programs and the number of students that continue on to further trades training programs;
- Ensure school districts have safe and appropriate modern trades equipment to support the delivery of trades training programs;
- Gain a better understanding of current inventory and future need for youth trades equipment in each district.
To be eligible for funding, school districts must have demonstrated that the capital investment supports the delivery of one or more Industry Training Authority (ITA) youth trades programs.
In partnership with the Ministry of Education and secondary schools, the ITA funds six youth programs in B.C. – Youth Discover the Maker Way, Youth Discover the Trades, Youth Explore Trades Skills, Youth Explore Trades Sampler, Youth Train in Trades and Youth Work in Trades. These programs map out a clear path for youth to start their trades training earlier in high school, through post-secondary and into the workforce where they can continue an apprenticeship.
