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How can British Columbia’s young people build a successful trades or technical career and be first in line for BC jobs?
Of the one million job openings expected by 2020, forty-three percent will require skilled workers. BC needs to be ready so youth are first in line for those jobs. We must prepare today’s youth to work in trades or technical careers. Our economy is growing. We are creating jobs and we must be sure BC’s kids are ready. How can British Columbia’s youth build a successful trades or technical career and be first in line for these jobs?
To connect with the other questions in this discussion, visit the Skills for BC Online Discussions Page.
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SKILLS FOR BC
Encourage young people to stay in BC and not go to AB with better wages. The money is what people are interested in. Immigration in the lower mainland has dessimated the construction industry and driven wages down to nothing with an abundance of cheap and unskilled labour doing work that should be done by skilled workers. This has created resentment and made people want to leave rather than have their quotes continually undercut by the bottom of the barrel bidder. Why stay in BC and get $25/hr as a carpenter and barely pay the bills when I can go to AB and get $45? Simple as that, figure it out Liberals.
Anybody looking to build a successful trades or technical career and be first in line for BC jobs should look into obtaining a specialized technical education. I can testify first hand that having no education, or university education it is very difficult to succeed in a technical field since neither option provides the necessary skills. A specialized technical education from a technical institute or college provides the skill and experience employers are looking for, right after graduation.
Asking members of the community to volunteer time and effort to advise paid politicians, bureaucrats and consultants on what they should already have known and should have done many years ago. It is a good way to ensure that nobody is accountable! Recall the discussion on BC Health Care in November 2006 like NASA asking the public how to repair the Hubble Observatory. Realize, sustainable social satisfaction and political stability entirely depend of investment in sustainable economic production in businesses that distribute real income in the community via better trained better paid employment – rather than welfare.
Therefore, the foremost task of governments in democratically represented governed mixed monetary economies as Canada and its provinces is to know the fault in the economy that hamper economic production and offer society solution early enough. If the government doesn’t know, society should expect the government early enough to invest in relevant research needed to early enough increase understanding needed to know and invent solution and then for discussion in good democratic order. Knowledge is created by research! Lack of invest in relevant research is allowing decades of issues in education, healthcare, the municipal system, forest and fishery just to mention some, to unsolved escalate in to social, economic and ecological adversity. Obviously investment in research, education and training is the most important for any economy. If the government doesn’t know how to modernize the education and vocational system, then it should invest in relevant research needed to know as suggested in 2004. Politics cannot be understood without the use of social and natural science, it would therefore be good politics to resume the discussions from 2004.
2020? well thats just great. I will be 60 come 2020. I have a trade now in CTM and have not found work in this clicky town where I reside. I want work and a decent living wadge now. This welfare program just doesn’t cut for me. BTW Ms. Clark am I as a welfare reciepient finally alowed to earn up to an additional $200.? without having my $610.oo monthly income impeaded? As you clearly stated back in July this would be implemented last month. What is going on with your Governing?
I am so looking forward to your reply. Do find me here. pd10@telus.net Hopefully your reply comes before thursday the 15 as my internet connection is no longer affordable. Joe
I would like to see vocational and skills-based school programmes that can be accessed by some children as early as Grade 6 (start of middle school). I say this because my son, a current Grade 5 student, told me that in his classroom, there are a couple of boys who, for much of the day, do nothing at all (I’ll hazard a guess that these boys have some form of learning disability). Regardless, how cruel to expect these little boys to just sit there feeling stupid (and bored out of their minds) all day long, while their peers proudly forge ahead with their learning. I think that we should have special vocational programmes for kids like these, programs that would allow these kids to come home from school beaming with pride, and eager to chat to their parents, about all the COOL things they learned that day. How great for their self-esteem. Also, how great for these kids financially that they will be job-ready and able to enter the paid workforce at a much younger age than many of their peers (i.e., BENEFITS = more time to earn money and build wealth, ability to accrue seniority and pension benefits sooner at some workplaces, ability to enter the housing market sooner, won’t need to take-out massive student loans, won’t suffer the opportunity costs associated with ‘lost earnings years’ suffered by kids who attend university full-time for 3-5 years, etc., etc., etc..). Also, since these kids will be more highly engaged each day in meaningful activities in which they CAN SUCCEED, they should have higher self-esteem, and a personal vision for a proud and happy future. These kids – all kids – are owed that!
It is time for change in education both in the public sector and in the post-secondary sector. University is the spoken and unspoken goal in high school for many of our students which totally damages career exploration in trades and many other required areas of our economy including the whole entrepreneurship area. Don’t expect university educated teachers to understand this, they have been successful in obtaining good paying, government jobs by going to university. They are not versed in the world of goods production or trades careers, teaching subjects and nurturing kids is what they know. However our economy is not sustainable without “producers” of goods suitable for sale and trade so change needs to occur. Students at a young age need to be connected with this world of work in their communities as part of their schooling. They all would benefit from a broad exposure to tactile “hands on” skills in areas of technology education during adolescence. As an example teaching mechanics is not just done as academic theory but needs application for learning to stick. We know the majority of kids are not designed to sit artificially in desks for 6 hours a day so why are we doing this to them? Getting them out doing real life things as part of their schooling should be required. Why are we not using the community in education, we should. Students working with people in their community constitutes valuable “learning” particularly when one considers the value of mentorships. The end of high school should blend seamlessly into a world of work or work related training. The majority of our youth think going to more school following high school will solve the transition to the work world. For many it is just a debt accumulation exercise. Youth need a hand finding work even those with the start of skilled trades training. Time for change.
Youth can get a valuable head start on their career by doing some career exploration while they are in Secondary School. Students can gain valuable skills and experience by participating in Work Experience programs and learning in the community as well as the classroom.
Students can also earn while they learn through apprenticeship and the secondary school apprenticeship program.
Students can also ease the transition from high school to post secondary by accessing dual credit programs.
Couldn’t agree with you more. High school programs are available to youth, sometimes it’s tough to get the message out so that the students are aware of the options available. Often it’s easy to convince teenagers of the value of trades but their parents are still promoting the university/college idea. Students need parental permission to participate in high school programs, so maybe we need to be more creative in getting the message out to parents.
I have to be honest and say that there is a lot of talk here, but nothing is being done. As a resident of Vancouver Island it is next to impossible to find work here. I am unemployed and have been trying for almost 9 months to find work and nothing. I have looked at trying to get into the trades, but of course there are no jobs in the trades. You research the stats on shortage of workers and the trades and you can get a straight answer.
yes of course there are some trades that are in the Oil Fields of Alberta and Northern BC, but if that is the only stat you have to prove that there is a shortage of skilled workers, then you need to give your head a shack.
I went to my local Job Resource Centre to try and find help in either Wage Subsidies, Training Allowance to find work in the trades, or anything for that matter. And the crazy thing about it all was … they told me, “Hey, there is work in Alberta, we encourage you to look there”. What??? I live in BC, why would I got to Alberta for work? If I did, why then would I live here in BC? Why would I want to give back to a province that has done nothing for me, but encourage me to work in another province!
I feel the BC Liberals are doing nothing to promote healthy and sustainable employment within this province. Just my two cents.
About 20% of high school graduates pursue post-secondary College or University education after grade 12 graduation.
The rest engage in various activities, many of which involve earning money to live.
Co-op programs for people who take basic training in skilled trades, or just skilled jobs would be great.
Quebec has the CEGEP system that takes students after Grade 11 and they can pursue a career in many walks of life. If and when they wish to upgrade, frequently, they can move on without moving back to the beginning.
Case in point: A female student takes a one year course in a CEGEP in aesthetics. Doing nails, dying hair and some hair dressing. She finds that the mixing of dyes piques an interest in the chemical interactions that occur. So, she takes chemistry courses in a subsequent year, stepping into an academic stream. In due time, she ends up with a degree in nursing. No backpedalling, no requalifying, it flows from one experience to another. The discouragement of restarting something to pursue a dream does not block her progress. Ideally, such a system would be of great benefit to the students who would not have to invest money in doing more courses that they would necessarily have to pursue under the present circumstances. Agreements with professional associations, unions and provincial reguilators wpould have to be put in place to allow the smooth transitions that would expedite the path of future skilled workers into our work force and we wouldn’t have to go to Ireland to find these people.
I’ve been working in the human capital area for 35 years as a senior government official and the last 11 years as a consultant. Much of my experience has been regarding raising awareness among young people and facilitating their participation in trades and technical training and careers. I believe through the work of various agencies over the last 10 years, headway has been made on the awareness front among young people -- however it’s their influencers -- parents, educators, peers and media that need more work with. Very specifically, we need a cadre of committed young people (not old tradespersons) that can travel the province and engage young people and their influencers. These people would be young role models. Further, we need to move beyond the awareness level to action -- do things to influence and change behaviours of young people and their influencers. Then, we need to put more resources into existing successful high school programs: Secondary School Apprenticeship; ACE-IT, Dual Credit Programs, Co-op Programs, other Work Experience Programs. School districts need to be made accountable for ensuring the allocation of resources factors this in. School districts and schools need to engage employers and businesses to engage them to come into their schools and to form local partnerships. Finally, it is important not to focus exclusively on trades and apprenticeship. There are some tremendous opportunities and significant numbers in technician and technologists careers and other occupations that require training that falls between apprenticeship training and university training. These technical careers are as important as trades to our resource and other goods producing sectors.
I am an “older” (44) worker looking to restart my career. I have several years experience and tons of transferable skills,however, I do not have any documentation or formal training to back this up. I cannot work retail(as much as I love it) as it is just not worth the pay and it is extremely important to be home on sundays. I am a great person to work with someone who is heading to retirement in the next few years and then I will be of the age to train the next person coming up. My children are old enough, I do not require daycare or anything, I will not apply for jobs I do not sincerely believe I am qualified for or willing to do and yet EI says I must apply for at least 5 a week or risk being suspended form payment. I am stuck in limbo…too young to retire, too old to become a doctor and I still require flexibility to travel with my family and care for elder parents.Where do I fit in the workforce?
Hi Amelia, if you’re considering trades as the avenue for restarting your career, there’s a great web tool you should check out. The BC Government’s GetSkills Tools draws together programs and resources from inside and outside government to help youth and adults navigate their trades career options. Visit http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/getskills to try it out.
One of the resources you’ll find under the general information category is the Industry Training Authority’s (ITA) Women in Trades Training initiative, which is a long-term strategy to match women’s skills to the needs of BC’s workplace. Be sure to read the program information carefully. In some cases people on Employment Insurance are not eligible.
What exact age group are you targeting? I mentioned last night to my nephew that there may be support for possible apprenticeship options, and his reply to me was, I think I am too old auntie…he is only 27. That is kinda sad…
Student loans should be attainable for all students, regardless of your “families” income or assets. The same archaic criteria prevented me from attending college or university almost 30 years ago and it continues to affect potential students from the ability to attend school. The financial criteria puts potential students in a very uncomfortable situation by having to ask their parents to provide personal financial information and not all families support “college or university ” .The criteria does not support independent thinking and may actually promote generational pressure against change.
Many of our government systems are not geared to support the financially responsible , and in turn, often presents to penalize prudence and good old fashioned hard work…. Just my two cents.
Hi Jennifer, StudentAid BC student loans are not age restricted, so 27 is not too old; however, you are correct that income and assets do come into play. You are also correct that parental contributions towards a student’s post-secondary education may be expected by StudentAid BC, but only if the student is considered a dependent. For eligibility information including dependent criteria, please visit http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentaidbc/apply/eligibility.php.
Thank you Kevin for responding and clarifying and I would also like to say thanks to the BC Gov for providing such a great site, I think it is an awesome idea.
I read the link you provided more thoroughly and note the definition of independent is basically “out of school for 4 years or in the work force for two years”.
I do understand the reasoning, and I know this may be a small piece of the puzzle, but would argue that this criteria still creates barriers for some potential students, minimally in that they may be unable to make a seamless transition from high school to post secondary…it causes a potential “waiting period”, where a multitude of determinants may take place, and post secondary may not be a viable option again.
On a different note, I appreciate the links you provided to Amelia above as I too am in a similar situation and looking at a career transition.
Thank you again.
There’s a lot of great thought already put in to this question. I’d recommend Dr. John Meredith from UBC’s recent lecture on the lessons we’ve learned from 10 years of the ITA model: http://mediasite.mediagroup.ubc.ca/MediaGroup/Viewer/?peid=6898e37fea694497ad9cd4d94923f2f01d
As well as the solutions offered by Eric Hamilton-Smith here: https://theses.lib.sfu.ca/thesis/etd7199
For those who don’t want to plough through a lot of dry research, I’ll summarize. A lot of the problem is that employers want (for good reasons related to the labour market) to hire skilled workers rather than hire unskilled workers & train them up.
Meredith suggests that large employer groups have used their new control of the apprenticeship system to drive down wages, with the long-term effect of deterring workers and small employers from participating. What we’re left with isn’t really even apprenticeship any more. Since employers are less and less able to invest in training on the job if someone else is going to scoop up their workers, we just have taxpayer and worker funded job training for employer needs. I take from this that The current model has broken the labour market for the skilled trades, and many British Columbians’ problems arise from this dysfunction.
Hamilton-Smith suggests two solutions: The first is group-training (like Australia’s apprenticeship system-BC’s was partially borrowed from New Zealand), where a non-profit arranges for a pool of apprentices to ship around to wherever there’s work. This drastically lowers the bar for small employers who can’t participate in apprenticeship simply because they don’t know they’ll have enough work for another F/T worker for 3-5 years.
The second is a web-platform that allows workers and employers to do much the same thing themselves: advertise what skills they have or need, for how long, etc.
As I said elsewhere, there’s also other models that aren’t experimental, if we are bold enough to try them: the dual system, for instance.
BC aimed high when it completely rebuild apprenticeship administration 10 years ago. Don’t be afraid to make big changes now to implement the big lessons we’ve learned.
Hi there, I am the Career Counselor at Claremont Secondary School in SD #63 and I wanted to share an opportunity that we are offering our students. Our district is extremely supportive of the trades and we have created a new program to begin in February 2013 called Trades Exploration. This full time program will offer students a ‘taste’ of 5 different trades (Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry, Welding and Metal Fabrication). This will include 4 weeks of shop/classroom instructional time followed by 1 week of work experience in each trade. More details on the program can be found on our website (www.claremont.sd63.bc.ca, Resources, Career Centre).
We are currently looking for financial support to ensure that students are provided with the necessary tools, equipment, certifications etc. Our goal is much the same as that of the government’s -- expose youth to careers in the trades and help them gain a head start! The Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA) and ACE-IT (Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training) programs are incorporated in our new Trades Exploration (TEX) program. We feel that all secondary schools in British Columbia should be offering opportunities such as this.
Thank you for the opportunity to raise awareness about our new program and encourage other schools to do the same. If you would like to support this new pilot program or if you have any further questions, please contact Garry Arsenault (garsenault@sd63.bc.ca).
The Government needs to require industry to support apprenticeship training or on the job training for British Columbians if they are working in British Columbia. I am not sure what the reporting requirements are for companies that take on apprentices, but I cannot see it being that difficult, and if Companies are working here they need to support the professional developement ol British Columbians and all Canadians. Bringing in Foreign workers will adversely affect the developement of our own work force. So Government needs to take a strong stance in supporting our future work force.
How can British Columbia’s young people build a successful trades or technical career and be first in line for BC jobs?
Where are BC young people, who are willing to work or get education allocated in our province.
A young person requires more than just a direction they require coaching and practical learning and a positive work experience. We are aiming at young people, so motivation is a key element, and assuming that probably they have not yet have had a working experience they are still dwelling to counterbalance the benefits of working.
Education is very important, so is a hands on paid work experience. To move from experience to a career there must be a greater motivation and incentive that young people can cherish. Just imagine if you where paid to get your self educated, as appose to educating your self to get paid, its all about momentum incentive and leadership.
Real money, real training, and real incentive, real recognition (travel time to learn outside of the province and a mentoring system that provides them with job security and choices). The great incentive of the Federal government is that education is free, jobs are everywhere and the pay is great, they provide options to relocate and re-educate, but this appeals not to young people it might not just do it for the young. Skills training must have an immediate reward system this is the key element to attract young people.
I feel there needs to be a focus on wages for this province. A young person can go to school for 2 years and see a wage of 20 or more dollars . Doing a less labour intensive job and not having to buy tools and safety gear each year . I have friends in Alberta doing similar work I do each day for twice as much wage.Being in the okanagan seems to hurt me more due to the so called sunshine tax .
On a second note I’ve jumped trades not by much but from joinery to carpentry for 2 reasons . One I find there is more opportunity and higher wages . Two due to apprenticship schooling . There has been so less interest in joinery these days okanagan college was forced to shut down its joinery course. The only place to go in bc is Bcit now . This keeps a lot of people from continuing their study’s . For example a single mom traveled 2 hours by bus from Vernon to kelowna in my last class . Now she can no longer contiue joinery schooling due to having to travel to Burnaby. On the same note excellent teachers lost their jobs.
Now being in the carpentry trade I find another issue . In almost all trades be it plumbing ,electrical you need to be a journey person or certified or at least have one overlook the work . In building trades you get people who can swing a hammer thinking they know right. These so call handyman pop up everywhere taking jobs from the real pros and in some cases costing people more money due to poor work or missed codes.
We must continue to welcome workers from all corners of the globe and become better at recognizing the skills and talents they bring and support their efforts as they work hard to succeed.
There are a number of success stories where training programs have supported First Nations individuals in achieving their goals. We need to model these and increase the number of success stories!
Keith Dennison,
Prince George
It is not just the young in this province having a hard time finding work. The middle-aged are also having a tough time finding work. There should be easier and more financial help through Work BC.
If you look at the majority of companies that hire such as Wal Mart, Home Depot, Future Shop, Home Depot etc…. the majority of people they hire are under 40. It is impossible to even talk to someone to find out why you dont qualify or if there is something you can to to help yourself to get work. I know someone in their mid 40′s who is very discouraged as his EI ran out, and has tried applying at the above companies and others and was not given the time of day to promote himself to get work. He would love to be able to take some schooling to improve the skills he has and to obtain new ones, but when Work BC is only allowing up to $4000 and the course he would like is about $20,000 (equipment operator), he does not qualify for a student loan, it is very discouraging.
Northeast BC is starving for both skilled and unskilled personnel in trades and general labour. If young people train in ANY trade or technical skill, take the initiative to submit their resumes to our area and commit to a term in Northeast BC they will certainly be rewarded in furthering their career choice AND building a bank account !
Partnerships are key in Fort St John and School District 60. I think we have many great examples in SD60 and here are a few:
The Northern Opportunities partnership in the Northeast includes other school districts, Northern Lights College, and many industry partners. http://northernopportunities.bc.ca/
Project Heavy Duty is a yearly program in SD60 where approximately twenty-four students in Grades 11 and 12 have the opportunity to learn about and operate many kinds of heavy equipment. Under the close supervision of qualified operators students receive hands-on training with heavy equipment such as crawler/dozers, excavators, graders, rock trucks and a variety of logging equipment on a job site. More info at http://www.prn.bc.ca/projects/phd/
Work experience, dual credit, apprenticeships, residential construction…. -- http://www.prn.bc.ca/careers/
Copy of a Globe and Mail Article from five years ago -- http://www.leadership.prn.bc.ca/?p=195
As a part of the baby boomers, I look forward to retiring within the next ten years or sooner. Probably sooner than later if feasable? I work at a sawmill and went to school with a large percentage of the employees, they too will be considering retirement over this period of time. Jobs will be available and the youth should be prepared to fill these positions by pursuing educational and training programs. I still believe that Government could play a better role in employment with retirement incentives. Many people will want to retire, but not able to afford it. What about a job sharing incentive program introduced and co-funded by government, its an investment in our employment situation and our youth.
Thanks for sharing, Ed. Joyce made a similar commment here about job sharing and a graduated transition from retiring workers to the next generation:
http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/discussions/how-can-british-columbias-young-people-build-a-successful-trades-or-technical-career-and-be-first-in-line-for-bc-jobs/#comment-3273
Firstly, thank you Premier Clark for providing this platform to educate and inform youth that are interested in becoming trades professionals here in BC. We at the Southern Interior Construction Association exist to bolster the efforts of this industry as a whole. With that being said, it is encouraged that anyone with questions about joining the skilled trades industry should also find and contact their local construction association for answers. Additionally, we provide education and networking opportunities; 2 tools that will help you in landing the skilled trades job you want. We also provide scholarships for individuals that wish to further their trades education! Remember, our doors are always open and best wishes!
Southern Interior Construction Association- http://ow.ly/f4O1F (shortened)
Facebook: http://ow.ly/f4OQx
BC Construction Association- http://www.bccassn.com/
Canadian Construction Association- http://www.cca-acc.com/en/
How about getting rid of social promotion in our school system? Kids are progressing through the school system without the requisite skills to be able to be successful in more technically demanding jobs.
It doesn’t hurt a kid to have them fail. Instead of of making failure a socially unacceptable, why not make it a learning opportunity. Not everyone is successful first time. And, then they might be able to actually complete the tasks and obtain the foundational skills needed for training and demand.
We could also move to a more European education model where students select a track in the early grades and their paths are tailor made to suit those career choices. Granted, it does not provide for as much flexibility if a student changes his/her mind, but it certainly would help undo the damage done by encouraging kids to mostly go to university as was the case when I was younger.
PS-I am an educator who works in the careers department of my local high school. Feel free to contact me.
Thanks for your comment, Jeff. Pamela has also commented on the idea of a trades streaming model. You may be interested in reading her comment here:
http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/discussions/how-can-british-columbias-young-people-build-a-successful-trades-or-technical-career-and-be-first-in-line-for-bc-jobs/#comment-3359
At the age of high school its assumed that young ones are undecided about their career paths, and which skills would land them on a secure job in their next steps of their journey, accordingly joint seminars hosted in schools by companies who know how their recruitment trends would look like, and governmental agencies who know which jobs and skills will be in shortage, might provide the upcoming generations with guidelines to select a couple of options on which they can start building their career profile.
On the other hand, students at this age are usually in the search for summer jobs or part time jobs that get them a paycheck without really caring whether this job would enrich their future career experience or not. Which might provide an opportunity for recruiters to post jobs through schools that have a pay similar to the fast cash jobs, yet provides students with skills that would make them efficient and productive should they elect to choose careers that will be in demand per strategic forecasts.
We need to spend more resources of time and money into helping young people at Secondary School level get into Trades. Every school district shoudl have ACE IT Programs and SSA programs running. A cohesive provincial plan aimed at this target age would help. We need career education and other programs available at younger ages. After graduation is great adn we are moving in the right direction…but we have a captive audience in our public school system and now is the right time to motivate, educate, and graduate young people in Trades!!
Even trades people should not overlook training in computer technology. The cam shaft sensor on my vehicle shorted out and was causing my engine to shut down. The dealership charged me $300 to do a 42 point electronic scan of the car to find the problem and $19 for a replacement sensor. The only person at the dealership who could operate the scan machine was a recent arrival from South Africa.
When Bill Clinton was the US President, he appeared on TV with the Presidents of the AFL and CIO. These latter two said that currently in the US, 1 in 3 new jobs has a computer component, so get American kids computerized.
The US Federal Government provided computers, local area networks and an internet connection to any primary school in America free of charge, provided parents would volunteer time to do the set-up, free of charge.
Lets make sure BC kids also get computerized so they don’t get stuck in heavy manual work jobs, which are fast disappearing.
Why would you say stuck in heavy manual work jobs? What is the stigma with that? What is the fear that some parent have with the possibility that their children may have to do manual labour to earn a living? That is what many trades people do for a living, not because they were stuck with it as a last option, but because that is what they chose to do. If you want to get into the automotive, commercial transport, heavy duty, refrigeration trades (I pick these because I work closely with all of these) you will learn computerized diagnostics and computerized controls, at the very least, for things like engines, braking systems, transmissions, flow controls, compressor controls, stepper motor controls, fuel cell controls, J1939 CAN networks and on and on and on. It is learning this technology that keeps my job interesting.
1. Stop immigration and TFW for three years until labour market balances out for the benefit of the new immigrants that are here and Canadian taxpayers. There are 1.8 million people unemployed in this country and the unemployment rate is climbing -- likely to 8% by spring (and 17% for people under 25). This is the only policy government should be involved in -- otherwise it looks like business is pressuring government for TFWs by telling them that there are ‘worker shortages’ when, in fact, the shortage is in employers who want to pay a living wage.
2. If there is a worker shortage in some of the areas of BC and in particular industries, have the EMPLOYER go public to the media and state what is needed. It is not the job of government to make unsubstantiated comments on behalf of industry.
3. More encouragement for people currently on EI to enter the trades ASAP and assistance moving.
4. Gender equity programs in the trades and protection from harm at camps.
5. Create mandatory training programs at the sites of new resource projects through the permit process. That way, the government can ensure that Canadian youth employment is being addressed.
I work in the school system. It is in a very, very big mess. Half the time I have noticed the kids do fund raising. The school system is severely underfunded. Private School enrollment is going up because people are getting sick and tired of the public school system. Private schools usually create white collar people. It starts by properly funding the public school system. The shops in the school system are not properly funded. The tools and equipment to train people for is not there. If we can teach peope to write, why can’t we teach people to work with their hands. Like all things in life, to have the best people you got to start early. You can not depend on businesses and unions to train people. Businesses will just import trained workers, and unions would train people, but they take years. Training has to be brought to our public school system, like a mining school, a mechanics school etc., and should start in high school. Not everybody is cut out to be a doctor, lawyer or politician. Kids/teens should not be pedaling products to raise money to buy basic things for their school. It is a shame what is going on! No wonder we can’t find workers, and only have burger flippers, or salespeople.
True. Well said. In my son’s high school, equipment for the shop is being purchased by the P.A.C. There needs to be an increase in funding for trades related programs at the high school level so that trades are no longer seen as a last resort job, but as a viable option to earn a good living that could allow you raise a family here in B.C.
It’s not that BC has a shortage of trades people its that our province pays one of the lowest wages so our trades people go to other provinces to work. We need to give them the wages that they are paying in Alberta and Saskatchewan so that they will stay in BC and put money back into our province. My husband is a red seal plumber who used to teach plumbing in one of our known institutions but with layoffs he had to go to northern Alberta so we could still live in BC where we were both raised and our children were born. He has now changed positions and is working in Saskatchewan so we can have a good life and still be able to afford to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world to live. If the cost of living wasn’t so high here in BC and the wages so low you would see more of our workers staying to work in BC instead. Because of this I don’t have a husband and my kids don’t get to see their dad for three weeks out of every month and we are considering leaving to go live in Saskatchewan so we can be a full time family again.
Make training more available and pay what they are deserved and you won’t see a shortage of trades people in beautiful BC.
Introduce trades to students in High school and then let them do their volunteer time in an internship with a company using those trades.
Most high schools offer a Work Experience program that allows for this. However, I just don’t think there is enough emphasis on the number of different trades available to them to maybe try. If they are lucky enough to know what they want to do for a living after High School, the work experience program can count for hours for your first year of apprenticeship. We currently have a young fellow at our shop doing this right now under the careful guidance of his father. Kinda sweet actually.
Could BC develop a Master Craftsperson programme like they have been doing in Germany for centuries? Of course we might have something similar in BC, but according to a former German colleague who works for a Facilities Services department at a CDN university, we don’t have this type of programme in Canada. (She’d be happy to talk about it with you, if you’re interesed. Let me know via my E-mail address.) Such a programme would attract a lot of interest from students, I believe.
Additionally we need to get the word out that not only are trades jobs well paid but there are a lot of different types of careers that are available. With the advent of social media and technology, it’s also a lot easier to build your own polished business and market yourself.
It should also be emphasized that these are important jobs in our provinces. For example, in the event of bad weather or a natural disaster, who are we going to rely on to re-establish order in our neighbourhoods? The tradespeople, of course!
SEE: http://www.german-mastercraftsmen.com/gb/meister.htm
Hi Pamela -- we’d be happy to chat with your colleague privately if she prefers, but it would be great to hear her story and suggestions here on this forum as well. Lots of people will be interested, I’m sure!
I am sick to death of listening to your television ads. A bit of ‘overkill’ wouldn’t you say? They go on and on and on and on…..
This government propaganda…. to make people believe that you are doing a good job with expanding employment….. is a joke and is wasting taxpayers’ money…. money that could be spent much more wisely.
I think this campaign is great, so many of our kids think that University is the only option, this message gives them hope that they can go to technical training and have a great career within the skilled trades, all while making a very good living. My husband runs his own small business and is doing very well in excavation and loves his job.
I think we can start by not spending our tax dollars on ads promoting the government’s (read the BC Liberal party) agenda. The lowest tax rates in Canada etc…. These are very thinly veiled political ads paid out of our tax dollars. These dollars could be much better spent supporting scholarships so that young people could afford to go to trade school and get the training they need to get the good jobs that are out there.
I started in auto body then used similar skills and became a joiner, specializing in wood finishing. I have a small business and have worked around the world for BC companies as a trades subcontractor in marine. I would tell youth that there are lots of opportunities out there and if you aren’t sure which trade to go into when you are young, start as a labourer and see which one you like. Just being on a job site exposes you to many different trades , boiler making, welding, etc. It also shows you what it’s like before you start so you will know if it’s right for you.
My son attended BCIT’s open house last May or June and came back all starry eyed at the trades opportunities that were “there for him” (and I couldn’t have been happier for him). Several of which have such a high demand for employees that many students were hired to jobs with staggering pay rates before they even completed their courses. Check out your local trades school and see what they have got.
there is no job classification for either concrete cutting and corin or demolition. Also ther is no job training for either of these fields nor fr anything related to them such as estimating,scanning or selling. these are high risk jobs and no one sems to be able to teach them.
We need to have competitive wages with our neighboring provinces and start negotiating with our unions instead of forcing contracts down their throats.
Need to revise the apprenticeship programs. I am an auto tech. When I went through the program (completed Dec 00), the program was free. We just had a guy go for third year automotive and he had to pay for the course. I think that needs to be changed. When I went, the classes were full and there was a waiting list. Now there was only 5 people in the class. They had cancled the class once already on him for lack of people to have the course. Interest is dropping. Automotive techs have to spend a huge amount on tools. I think we are allowed to deduct $500 a year. The update for my scanner costs $1200 a year. Then I need all the new tools to work on the new cars. The $500 deduction just doesn’t seem like enough. Should be able to deduct all the tools needed for work. I’m only 30 and have spent $35000 on tools. All needed each day.
Thanks my opion. Hope it helps.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Eric. I’d like to hear more of your thoughts. What revisions – besides going back to no-charge classes – are needed to improve apprenticeship programs?
I am absolutely disgusted to see that $15,000,000 of our tax dollars are funding commercials for the B.C. liberals campaign. I am insulted to think that our government actually thinks we are gullible enough to think this is in support of creating jobs for the citizens of our province. This is self-promoting for their own political agenda and I say “shame on you”. I’d rather see this money going to just about anything other than a stupid ad!
Without information on the jobs plan, and its operation and benefits, how are those for whom it is intended to assist and motivate going to get the information if government does not advertise? We need this information and the rationale for why this initiative is underway!
Have you seen the section on our web site called Learn About the Plan? It has a lot of detail and the rationale for the economic development plan as well as information related to each of the changing/growing sectors. Hope this helps with the rationale and details you are looking for.
A critical examination of on-site training needs to be done as part of this process. If you look into statistics, you will see that many young apprentices leave the trades without completing their hours. I believe that a large part of this is that they become disillusioned due to the “rite of passage” attitude in the trades, and the rampant bullying that goes on while apprentices are earning their practical hours. The trades’ mentality needs to be cleaned up, and they need to be accountable for the practical on-site training they provide if we are going to attract quality apprentices that guarantee a first-class rating for B.C.’s skilled workforce in the future. I do not know how we do this; however, what is happening is simply an extension of the schoolyard bullying that is prevalent in the news. People don’t learn better by being picked on. Mutual respect is a key component to attract and keep workers. — I am a teacher and a parent who has seen this first-hand.
I agree with your comment here. There is alot of bullying and some of it can be pretty nasty I am sure, BUT, lets not forget that there are many grey haired folks that just can not get their head around the mentality of the “kids” entering the workforce now. This is what I have seen first hand from these kids…If it doesn’t look fun to do, I might do it because you told me to but I’m going to pout about it, or, I deserve that raise because I bother to get out of bed and come here every morning,or, what do you mean I have to figure that out my self, why can’t you just tell me, or another of my favorites, the look you get when you ask them to pick up a broom or take out that overflowing grarbage can, plus many more different attitudes that could possibly be attributed to being raised with a sense of entitlement. Sounds kind of like a form of bullying the employer. If you are going to be successful in any trade, you had better be ready to bust your hump to prove that you belong and earn the respect of us ‘older’ guys/gals because that is what many of us trades people had to do in order the make a career that allows us to live here in B.C.
As several people have mentioned, schooling is expensive and not everyone has the resources to pursue this option. It shouldn’t just be about the kids coming out of high school, but, also, about helping those that would like to better themselves. How about taking some of the 15 million that is being spent to run these ads to subsidize some of this schooling. Maybe that would open an avenue for those that would not otherwise be able to afford to pursue this, or so that people don’t have to come out with huge student loans.
I think the Apprenticeship program of the ’70′s administered by BC Ministry of Labour should be activated, updated and engaged by industry
i m surprised anyone remembers that program and yes you are right it was a great program
Glad you remember it to! Beloved Virginia Greene started her career with the Ministry of Labour Youth Employment Program -- strong support then for youth, small business and trades under Socreds -- Metro vancouver
BC does have the skilled workers but between the wage that our trades people are being paid here is nowhere in comparison to what they are being paid elsewhere in our country. Combine the higher wages with the lower cost of living in the other provinces, who wouldn’t leave BC. But it’s not about wanting to leave its about making the choice to give you’re family a comfortable life without having to struggle just to make ends meet. I admit we live in one of the best places in the world but who can actually afford to live here without busting your butt to actually live here and by the end of the week your too tired to enjoy it or you have to work your second job just to make ends meet. My husband is a red seal plumber who has had to work out of town just so we can stay in BC where we were both raised but we are considering making the permanent move as a family so we can be a full time family again. Raise the wage you are paying our BC trades people and I guarantee there won’t be a shortage!
I am a Bc tradesman. I hold 3 tickets in the piping trades. There ,is no way that we can live in BC on the rates that are being paid. I went to the oil patch in N. Alberta to make almost 45$/hr. Northern BC they pay 36$/hr. there is so much work In Canada that we now have a choice to where we want to work. I have decided to take a loss of family time to give my family a life that is well above avg.. 50$+ to work in Sask for 3 weeks to live in BC for a week. BC means BRING CASH! I do this so my kids can do the things they want. It is the best place to live in The world but you can not live there full time because of the cost of living!
To start the process, bc schools need better shops so that young adults can take shops classes. The counsellors need to under stand that not all students are university bound. The problem is that the counsellors are university trained and believe all students need to go there. If you had counsellors that were trade people then you would have more students learning right from the beginning. They also present the idea that if you take a shop class then you are a dum student.I had an understanding father and saw the talent that I had. I have been through the apprenticeship program and have been a Macine Fitter for 45 years, now retired . That you for the opportunity to participate.
There is a need for schools to adopt a more balanced view of the careers available to our young people. Almost all jobs require post secondary education and that does not reside solely in universities. Parents would benefit from additional information and a more accurate picture of their children’s learning strengths so they can support good decisions for course selection while in school and all the post secondary opportunities available. Attention also needs to be paid to assisting those who offer the apprenticeship programs/courses to obtain some skills in instruction and mentoring and also undertsanding of the variety of learning needs many of their propective trainees come to these programs with. The attitude that students who find their place in trades oriented courses in secondary schools are less capable needs to be exposed and changed. The regulations that govern certification of teachers so that trades certified instructors (Red Seal) can teach in our schools needs ammending!
What about the smaller independent employers? They train apprentices for 4+ yrs and lose them to big industry employers? Sometimes they are taken at the 2-3 year mark. How can these small businesses complete? Why should they bear the brunt of all the training and mentorship and never end up with a certified trades person? The recruitment strategies and benefits made available by industry employers cannot be matched. Quality of life is a bit of a draw, but just not enough.
Thanks for listening,
Seeking solutions, but coming up short….
I think this is where B.C will always be second fiddle to Alberta (with Saskatcherwan hot on their heels). The cost of living is just so much lower there, and the wages are higher. Say what you want about living in Alberta vs B.C. but if I was starting out on my career now, I’d be gone. Even this past summer as we passed through Alberta on vacation, I couldn’t help but think why would a young person starting out not go to Alberta, then why would a B.C company even want to take the risk on helping them get started. Back to the need for some kind of incentive program (for the employer and employee) to attract and retain the apprentices and eventual Red Seal tradespersons.
Resource stability. BC has so many opportunities for growth. With such a wide range of resources at our feet, we need to continue to grow these by way of Governement support. Forestry was once a strong economic advantage for British Columbians yet for whichever reasons became unstable. As a youth during that time I watched how uncertainty caused strain on my parents, and later watched many friends who were employed in the industry leave to Alberta to take advantage of a growing oil industry. Why did they leave? High paying jobs, for sure, but stability and security of knowing they would support their children and families for the future.
Here now as an adult raisIng my family I feel that same uncertainty my parents did, but now it is in the aquaculture industry. Will it be supported here as it is on the East coast of Canada? Will I be forced to leave this province I call home in order to maintain my skills? Or follow my husband to some other country that would gladly take his expertise in this aquaculture industry? Before investing into the skilled workers we so desperately will need in the years ahead, I think it is first and most important for government to commit and communicate what industry are stable and supported. Then the youth can choose good solid trades and hopedully call one place home. BC my children now growing u and entering into college years struggle in their decisions because what do we have that is sustainable without fear. As much ad aquaculture has done for my family I dread the thought of them spending money on college to educate in the field, unless of course they want to move, anywhere but here.
There needs to be concise information for the kids entering high school so they can objectively look at what their options are and make sure that it is realistic information geared to their area so that they can start to think about what their options are and where these jobs would be available within the province and offering some sort of tuition incentives would make it possible for industrious low income students to take advantage of real oportunities
Learn to speak Mandarin?
Mandarin is already a language option in many BC schools. Asian markets are key destinations for BC goods and services. Learning the language of some of your best customers is always a good idea.
can t agree less. Mandarin is not an official language of this country. If a person wants to learn the language for his or her own pleasure that is up to them but it should never be a requirement for job placement in this country;doing so could create a legal mess. Besides, english is the language of international banking what beats that?
Especially if they want to be a coal miner.
Greg, if you’re interested, here’s some information on temporary foreign workers: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/ministries/jobs-tourism-and-skills-training/factsheets/factsheet-further-myths-and-facts-on-temporary-foreign-workers.html, http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2012/10/myths-and-facts-on-temporary-foreign-workers.html.
Hi,
My name is Emma Irwin and I believe very strongly that Digital Literacy should be a key component in the future of education.
Children should understand, not only how to *use* technology, but how to direct, make, and innovate it! Using an smartphone is not the same as understanding how they work, navigating social media is not as important as understanding consequences of digital footprints. How can children succeed in the future when the primary focus of their technology education is ‘using’ ?
I am helping lead a grassroots movement in BC running hackjams as a part of the Mozilla Webmaker initiative (I am a volunteer) https://webmaker.org/en-US/With donation of space (University of Victoria) and time ( I am a computer programmer working at Royal Roads University), and volunteers (Open Data people, other programmers, educational tech professionals) we are already starting the first important steps of empowering children in technology.
We have run two hackjams:
http://victoriapopcorn.tumblr.com/http://victoriahackjam.wordpress.com/
And right now my goal is to setup a series of after school Webmaker clubs, with a curriculum I am looking for input on( I have blogged on this subject: http://tiptoes.ca/?p=536)
I really feel this is important, as a mother of 3, as someone working in education and technology , and as someone doing something about it -- I hope you will consider adding this topic to the conversation.
Thanks
I fully agree! The challenge is that k-12 teachers, as hard working and skilled in teaching as they, are not likely to have the skill set you suggest. They too are users of technology and not developers and so may not be prepared to ‘pass’ on or support this kind of learning. Perhaps this is an area of curriculum development for the Faculties of Education at BCs various universities.
My perception is that teaching is become more generalist in its approach (where are the specialists of old in library studies, physical education, the arts, trades etc.) when the reality is that future jobs are MORE specialist in nature.
Thank you for being an invovled and concerned citizen who is prepared to work for change and innovation. The impact you make will have untold ripple effects!
My son has been told he would make an excellent electrician. He is 22 years old and very hard-working. He has been waitlisted for school for a year now to enter the program.
How can our children enter the fields, when there is no schooling available?
My son did take the first year electrician’s course at his local college,that was more than a year ago and he has not been able to find a job for a 1st level apprentice, instead he is working as a maintenence man. and happy to have full time work.
Become Chinese citizens?
Hi -- this is Moderator Chrysstena -- Great discussion and ideas so far – thank you for contributing. A few of you have been commenting on temporary foreign workers and mining. For those of you who are interested, here is some information on temporary foreign workers http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/ministries/jobs-tourism-and-skills-training/factsheets/factsheet-further-myths-and-facts-on-temporary-foreign-workers.html, http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2012/10/myths-and-facts-on-temporary-foreign-workers.html.
Young people’s success is primarily influenced by their family and care givers. As a parent, my job is to enable the success of my children through situational guidance and financial support allowing their transition to independence. With this positive environment, kids are aligned for educational and career choices that benefit themselves and the community.
Lately, my ability to provide this positive environment has been significantly challenged by underemployment and unemployment. After 25 years successfully earning a living, I have spent the last 7 years struggling to survive. This is not about me, as I believe I am not alone. My demographic as a 50 something year old family man living in Vancouver , reveals that ‘peak earning years’ in today’s BC is a financial planning myth.
I am pleased the government of BC is thinking of our kid’s future. I have spent their lifetime thinking and planning for their future. Without losing focus, please also encompass in your planning, a wider perspective to address the support needs of the parents directly involved in supporting today’s young people. I am anxious to get back to earning a living. Help me help them.
Getting a education in any Trades is obvious. But it doesn’t stop there! The bottom line is our ‘Baby Boomers’ are trying to retire and there is no one to fill these positions anywhere in the working sector. Why? Because these jobs just do not pay enough to live. Why does it take 4 years to get an apprenticeship? Why are we concentrating only on the young? There are just as many 35+ people that would love to upgrade or get into a better career but are not able to because of lack of resource. Simply put, one parent can not support a family so the other can go back to school.
BC JOB PLAN should be open to all ages and to any career choice that involves educational training.
Don’t get me wrong, I know it has to start somewhere and the school system is THE place to start introducing these trades. Before they have families and find themselves being taken away from their family to support them.
In order to get a trade, aprentices must finish and pass thier red seal. I believe there are a lot of people that get into trades but do not fininsh the schooling aspect because they have to go on EI while they are away form thier jobs. The EI system does not work well with apprentices. I believe that an apprentice should get an EI payment 2 weeks after they start thier schooling. Some peope can not afford to go a month or more without a paycheck. There should be no 2 week waiting period for an apprentice going on EI for trades schooling.
In my day the employer did most of the on the job training Before they bring in outside trained people they should put out more of their own money to train B.C. people. It should be the law.
I just watched premier Clark’s add on tv about training more bc residents in trades because of the probable lack of skilled workers by 2020. I find this really interesting. My husband completed a 4 year apprenticeship in electrical two years ago. Through those 4 years the government also kept talking about shortages but then it was 2015. When I was in high school it was 2012. The issue is that skilled workers are not retiring and new workers are completing the trade and not finding employment in bc. My husband was laid of over 4 times during his apprenticeship through shortage of work. He was paid less than apprentices in other provinces(Alberta ). When he completed his journeyman he had the option of a $24/ hr construction electrician job in bc where he could be laid of again especially in winter or a $35/hr in the Alberta oil fields. You can imagine which one he took. The oil companies treat the workers well there is tons of work and they fly the employees home. This is why bc cannot keep skilled workers and its misleading to show adds stating a demand for workers when that is not the experience we found in bc going through the process.
I was interested to read your comment.
The whole issue of ‘worker shortages’ is suspect. Many believe it can be traced back to businesses and foreign investors’ pressure on governments to lower wages in order to be competitive with the third world country’s labour force and force the issue of allowing Temporary Foreign Workers. After all, there are currently 1.8 million workers in this country who are unemployed. StatsCan reports that there are only 264,000 current job vacancies -- the majority of these are in minimum wage jobs.
Because I was curious, I recently ran the StatsCan unemployment figures and upcoming retirements and found that there will be 2.2 million unemployed by 2017 at the current rate of immigration and TFW (with number of jobs staying about the same). And by 2027, that may become 4 million unemployed.
Introduction to these jobs must start in high school. Shop programs and education session have to be brought back into the education system, this could get kids thinking about their future and trying out different skills, as well as learn what oppurtunities are out there for them male and female alike, this would be a start. As well as more incintitives for young people to finish the apprenticeships and become ticketed.
Be careful about joining the health care field with this government in control. Wage increases have been nil for years and we have fallen behind the rate of inflation and are getting poorer and poorer. Take home pay is lower than it was 5 years ago, costs of consumables and utilities has gone up. I am worried about my future!
Firstly, trades are not a last resort job like so many seem to think. You need to be, now more than ever, a critical thinker to make a career as a tradesperson now.
Secondly, there is so little exposure to trades at the high school level that most students have no idea what a huge variety is available to them. These are high paying jobs that can afford them the ability to continue to live here in B.C. if they want to. The thing is, the ones intersted in trades only see the “gold” in Alberta, and that Alberta is a more affordable place to live.
There is, however, a lot left to be said for promoting stable, well paying jobs here in this province, with companies that understand the value of hiring and training apprentices and provinding incentives to the companies and apprentices that will help keep them here in B.C. Parents also need to understand that it is okay for their precious children to get dirty for a career (actually there are a lot of trades you don’t have to get dirty) and there is plenty of room for advancement or even more than one Red Seal. I started in trades 21 years ago, I have two Red Seals, Automotive Mechanic (including certificate of apprenticeship) and Refrigeration Mechanic. It takes hard work, dedication to the craft and a willingness to continue to learn and grow as the technologies dictate. Now one of my sons is waiting to start his foundations (pre-ap) course to start on his journey to be a Red Seal Heavy Duty Mechanic. Hopefully things can change enough that he doesn’t feel he has to go to Alberta to make a living.
Love your comments. I would like to add that high schools do promote trades as a valuable career option. It’s not difficult to convince youth about the value of a trade, but it is much harder to convince their parents -- so many parents see “university” as the route to guaranteed success. This may have been true a generation ago, but not today.
High schools do not do enough to promote the trades, why aren’t the companies out at the High Schools sponsoring potential graduates? It’s next to impossible to get into a reputable program, and there is no training provided to these kids to find a sponsor. There are lots of kids out there looking for a career in trades.
Hello Leslie, my name is Moderator Chrysstena. I wanted to let you know that there are already numerous examples around the Province that bring together industry, schools and students. Northern Opportunities is an excellent example of a successful program showcasing how well this works. Other examples can be found in Powell River and the South Island. It would be great to see more of these types of programs throughout the Province. Thank you so much for your post!
Hi Leslie. I also wanted to let you know that the BC Government announced last Thursday that it is investing $300,000 to help the Industry Training Authority (http://www.itabc.ca/) engage employers and improve participation in the training and hiring of apprentices from post-secondary trades training programs.
Streaming Northeasterners in to lower-respected temporary resource work will only reinforce the cycle of poverty in small & poor populations. We need to solve the social stigma around trades first.
BC has spent around $16m on employer-led ITOs from 2006 to 2011. Putting employers in charge of the whole system didn’t encourage them to participate, what can we possibly spend $300k on now that will make a difference?
I would have to respectfully disagree, to some extent. There may be a few high schools out there that introduce many of the trades options that are available but, I feel that most do not. The high school my sons attended had the usual wood work, metal work, mechanical classes but there was no discussion about other trades. It was especially difficult for the girls that may be interested in trades for a career. I do feel for the girls in high school that may want a trades career outside of the ‘traditional’ culinary and textiles classes offered.
You must be a certified teacher to teach in a BC public school. Those who want to teach trades need to have Red Seals and complete a teacher education program that takes upwards of 18 months in a university. We need to examine changes to this requirement so that Red Seal qualified instructors can access a more efficient way of acquiring teaching skills to satidfy the certfied teacher requirement. Currently, we have Red Seal teachers teaching on one-year Letters of Permission which cost school districts a significant amount of money to obtain and then renew annually. Surely the Teacher Regulation Branch can take steps to address this!
Why does everyone think it’s so much cheaper to live in Alberta?
My grandson paid $900 a month for a one bedroom apartment and it was not the greatest place to live. maybe in Vancouver that wouldn’t be expensive but outside of the lower mainland it is.
The cost of living is lower there, but not everywhere there. Living in the boom town of Fort McMurray is very expensive (according to those I have talked to it could be compared to Dawson City during the gold rush) as are other places I am sure. One thing I was struck by when my family and I were in Alberta in August was the huge number of young families with 2 and 3 children, all in a provincial park for the weekend, all with newer trucks and newer trailers. These were clearly folks with good paying jobs and extra money to spend. Now, isn’t that ultimately what we are trying to promote here, training and finding a way to keep young tradespeople here in this province to help build this economy and not feel the need to have to go east, not only to Alberta but even Saskatcchewan now, in order to get a start on life and family.
We need more High Schools that offer trade courses. Too much emphasis is place on University or College courses yet the High Schools teach very few trades. Year ago this was not the case and a Vancouver Technical High School offered trade courses and students were prepared to enter trades when they graduated from Van Tech. Many graduates from University can’t find jobs because they are encouraged to take up courses that are not trade related. As a result we have to bring in immigrants to take up trade jobs. This is stupid and unreasonable for our own citizens.
Hi Trevor--I’m David Hume, one of the moderators of this discussion. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the BC Jobs Plan. Your input on this topic is important, and your comment is really insightful.
One of the things that’s important to us as we moderate this forum is that we keep the discussion positive and welcoming. While I appreciate your passion, terms like ‘stupid’ can come off as aggressive and hurtful.
That being said, thanks again for your comment. I know it’s of interest to all of us watching this forum.
Come up with a provincial program that models similar to the Treasury
Board Federal Public Sector Youth Internship Program.
It has a high success rate in engaging youth both with and without Post Secondary education productively in the workplace. At one point the program targeted those without high school.
Mandy, can you tell us more about this program?
Sure! I think the program is closed at Federal Level now but as a former participant I can shed more light. In 1998, Treasury Board funded organizations like the YWCA to act as a medium between the Y and Federal Host Agencies. In my case, I was a young person stuck in survival jobs.
I had no grade 12 and had an infant to care for.
I applied to the program with a resume and had an interview just like you would any job. I was even taped and received feedback on my interview. I was accepted to the program and was provided basic training such as Squirrel and Foodsafe and basic CPT first aid. These are important in case I could not secure employment after with fed government. The program paid for the trainings. After a few weeks, the YWCA would contact host organizations by providing my new résumé. I had at the time a choice of Veterans Affairs Canada as an exec assistant and HRDC, now called Service Canada. I chose Veterans Affairs Canada. I interned for 10 months. I continued to meet with my fellow interns at YWCA for continued other job training, planning for future, etc. I was working for minimum wage fully paid for by Treasury Board. This meant it was free help to the department as it did not affect their budget.
Many people will say that minimum wage is abusive, but I saw it as a great work opportunity to learn and gain the skills and experience. During the internship, I did learn enough to successfully place on a competition to Service Canada and I stayed for 11 about 11 years. This program received some controversy by unions due to wages and the fear that we were cheap labour coming in to replace other workers. Not the case. These internships had definite end dates.
Further to my previous note, my internship program was in an office but there were internships that were outside such as Parks Canada. I think an internship can be created in any environment depending on someone’s desire to learn, current skills, or skills they wish to develop. Maybe these types of programs can be jointly funded between fed and province.
Trades are not mandatory in b.c. So anyone can hang a sign saying carpenter if the know what a hammer is. There is a disconnect between those who have a desire and employers. Also doing preamp does not get you a job, or one that follows the bc labour code. Even as a journeyman you know that everyday is layoff day so you can not plan or even go for a holiday for fear of firing. I have 5 tickets , 1 interprovincial, and I they’ll every one who asks to look elsewhere. The only trade I recommend is elevator mechanic and controls technician, as they are mandatory trained.
High school students have a wonderful opportunity to jump start their career in trades through an ACE IT program offered in their school district. The teenagers earn high school credits for their level one technical training; at the same time they are earning college credits. Work-based training is an important part of their learning and gets the youth started on their apprenticeship. Employers with qualified tradespeople on staff are needed to provide the work-based experience -- this is proving to be somewhat difficult. Perhaps the provincial government could provide incentives for employers to sponsor apprentices in the “in demand” skilled trades, as well as provide secondary education with targeted funding so that career education specialists can support students in their search for apprenticeships.
BC has a great opportunity to grab hold of the tech reins once again, and succeed with them. Telecom companies are now installing fast and reliable fiber optic networks directly into people’s homes…this fact coupled with the increasing median age of our population creates a perfect environment for smart home technology to develop to that we can be helped by and grow with. Smart appliances, smart homes, smart electric vehicles…there are opportunities here for BC, we should invest in them and ourselves.
I tried to get in on the trades and got hired on at a union shop. Apparently a UBC degree wasn’t good enough to start the apprenticeship program. I was told to repeat the senior year of high school because the trades program administrators couldn’t figure out how a US secondary education converted into a BC secondary education (post-secondary education not relevant). They even wanted me to take High School English competency exam (because UBC’s English competency exam is insufficient).
I went to graduate school instead.
We must stop allowing cheap foreign workers into BC, they are treated like and are slaves. Should they complain they are sent home, it is disgusting that we would allow this form of slavery. If we want workers we have to be prepared to pay. Mine work in Chetwynd is a good example, the low wages for the work is why they were unable to find workers. The push for low wages is a class war and the people on the right side of the political spectrum should realize that it is the middle calass that makes our society successful. If we are all making minimum wage; who buys the cars, houses, restaurant meals, furniture, clothing etc. A society of a few rich and everybody else is not what we need.
There once was a time when BC was affectionately known as Hollywood North, where you couldn’t avoid seeing a film being shot on the sidewalks or in the neighborhood. The provincial government invested in the local film industry setting up the BC Film Commission and BC Film + Media to encourage the growth of domestic and international film industry.
I bought into this viable industry, spent several years in film school, spent thousands of dollars buying gear in order to do my job, volunteered hundreds more hours to get my foot in the door (because that’s how it works in the biz). Then the rug started getting pulled from under us, slowly and gradually.
The biggest problem is the war on tax credits with provinces like Ontario offering better percentages. BC, under the Liberals won’t compete by matching the tax credits as they feel they are subsidizing the industry. Well guess what? You started it!! You encouraged residents like to me to support the film industry as a viable productive industry. I’ve spent several years investing in this business, building experience in my field and now that I have reached a level of proficiently, you’re trying to kill it.
I’m furious that you’re spending millions on this BC Jobs Plan campaign to ask about job creation. With the film industry, you’ve essentially created jobs and then took it away. The film industry is neither glamorous nor frivolous. It is a business, and it’s big business we’re all losing out on. MATCH THE TAX CREDITS AND BRING PRODUCTIONS BACK TO BC.
This is exactly what I’m talking about and it’s currently in the news http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/hollywood+north+in+decline++part+2/video.html?v=2300019385
The Ministry of Education needs to fund public education properly, so school districts can afford to offer practical arts/tech ed programs. Practical arts classes are drastically underfunded & tech ed programs have been slashed across the province.
Everyone needs to be concerned about the education kids get today. Today’s youth are tomorrows taxpayers. We need a strong public education system that can offer students opportunities to explore career focussed classes.
Investing in public education is a net savings to the taxpayers as the more positive & successful students elementary & secondary school experience is, the more likely they are to continue on to post-secondary. If a post-secondary education is recieved they are more likely to have a higher paying job & therefore pay more taxes.
This is a really important issue for our province and I’m looking forward to following the comments and ideas people have on this site. We know that one of the keys to our success is making sure young people know about the opportunities and benefits that come with a trades career. I was actually out at Seaquam Secondary in Delta today, in an automotive class, and was amazed to see the enthusiasm of the students. They’re in an ACE-IT program, which means accelerated credit – not only are they earning credits toward both high school graduation but also a post-secondary credential too! When I was there, we launched a great new site http://www.discovertradesbc.ca – which provides better access to information and support for both students and teachers — and we announced other steps we’re taking to get youth excited for trades careers. We have some amazing apprenticeship partnerships with school districts and post-secondary institutions right across the province, to get young people better prepared for a career in the trades. But there is always more that can be done, and we are looking for good ideas from the public.
John, address the issue of teacher certification for Red Seal instructors, most of whom are teaching on Letters of Permission that are expensive for districts to obtain and provide little incentive for qualified instructors to pursue this as a job option as it must be renewed annually. The Teacher Regulation Branch has responsibility for this.
First off I think we need to teach our young people in high school what jobs/trades are available out there so they are a least aware of opportunities.
Second we need to help small business owners (like my self) with some financial assistance to train these people as it is very expensive to do so.
Your absolutely correct that something needs to be done to help small businesses invest in training, but direct financial subsidies like the ones currently in place from the federal government have proven to have almost no effect on training. Government just can’t afford to subsidize enough to make up for lost productivity and small employers just can’t risk such a big investment.
On the other hand, different training models like the German “dual” model or apprenticeship counsellors can reduce the risks & barriers and help employers and apprentices overcome the many challenges of workplace training.
I think things are good for the youth of today. With the paid training for BCers to the age of 30 with skills and basic tickets, we definately can do well! I was above this age when I had to go back to school to get these basic tickets (whmis, first aid, food safe) and it had to come from my own pocket. I was a (bc born and raised) single mother of two that was left with nothing from my failed relationship. I was 35(ish) when I had to pay for my own education (what little I could afford) and rebuild my life. Still struggling, I am currently working three part time jobs, and sometimes working 17 hours days to make ends meet. I am considered working poor. I currently make about $16,000 per year. We have just ran out of room on the visa card to pay for groceries. What I think we need is education opportunities for older working poor. There has to be a way out of hell.
GET MORE TRAINING CENTERS AND SCHOOLS
My son took his electrical apprenticeship. His biggest struggle was trying to get enrolled in the annual school program. He enrolled in schools everywhere from Kelowna to Kamloops and Vancouver,,, never the same school twice!! It makes it hard for the young people to be comfortable in their environment, as well as finding a place to live. It was equally as difficult to enroll,,, and be excepted to the school during a convenient time of the year. As you know the trades are busy during the fall and in almost every case,, he was forced to school during that time. In many cases,,, he was forced to wait MONTHS to get a seat in class.
GET WITH IT BRITISH COLUMBIA !!!
How about student loans being paid on time so these students can pay their monthly expenses on time. My granddaughter who is a single Mom did not get her money as of today (1st. of Nov) and when she called the office,the person on the other end said oh well it could take up to 2 weeks. There did not seem to be any urgency on their part. When you are a student welfare will not give you any assistance. Students have obligations just like everyone else . So if we want our young people to succeed the tools should be in place to give them a hand up. I am tired of hearing about young people who are born and raised here not being able to better educate themselves for lack of money to get the training for all of these so called jobs that are coming to this province. New immigrants get more help than our own young people. This has got to change.
I am really upset how many of our youth are moving to Alberta for work. We need to make university and college spaces for BC students first…
We need to educate our kids in BC faci8lities. This hols true for tech school all the way to Med School applicants. The government has to realise that BC students need to be first in BC..
Enough said
I just saw a commercial from Christie Clarke regarding preparation for the need to have qualified trained tradespeople. I recently applied to STEP to take part in a program to assist experienced workers to challenge the Red Seal exam, to porove competency. At that time I was informed that I was not entitled to participate in the free program because I had too much post secondary education upgrades. Does B.C. want qualified tradespeople or to put people on social assistance through yet another politcal smokescreen.
Importing foreign workers,especially in the mining field,is the wrong way to train and employ Canadian workers in this field. If you trully care about the youth of our great country the government should get cracking on training our future citizens,not allowing foreign companies to bring their workers here to take our jobs.
We need better tax credits to stop losing film jobs
Wake up before it to late
Thanks sean
We need Log Scalers. The government does not produce a matrix to learn or teach the job or provide a course or put on a regular exam.
However the government will lend your child 24,000.00 dollars to become an actor even though there are not jobs here!
In 2005 I took Welding at Thomson rivers university. upon finishing my course all I had to do was get 6 months worth of full time experince to get my C level ticket. However I encountered a job market where all the employers wanted at the minumim a B level pressure ticket. trouble
is in order to obtain that ticket i must frist become a C-Ticket and then pay for more school and work to be certified as a pressure welder. long story short I never have used my welding ticket. last year I went back to school and am now working on a carrer in water treatment. and im encounter the smae issues in the job market all the employers want experince and advanced levels of certification. without entry level posistions avalible there is nowhere to go after months or years of expencive school.
I have concerns not only for the young just coming out of school…but the population in the thirties and forties that are not able to access the trades because of a problem with passing the college entrance exam…but they have the skill levels to do the job…but not the ability to do the test….we need to provide a program to bypass this program requirement and get these people a trade so they can support their families. i have worked in the north and have seen first hand how some people(mainly first nations) are given every opportunity to get a trade BUT when another individual not falling into this population base/but in the same community did not receive the same access…..this is not equal opportunity for all…..i also know of an individual who is a male single parent who is not able to pass the college exam and has tried 3 times, gone to sylvan learning on his own dollar and is still not able to complete the algebra ….. but has rec’d a 98% on skills ability for mechanics…..now tell me how we can help this individual who is trying, wants to receive a trade so that he can support his daughter and not always battle the poverty line life…..i have been in health care for 42years and have seen it’s not how well you can do the job….but who you are….who you know and how well you can jump through the hoops……not all have the ability to hoop jump as well as others…..but the do have the ability to do the job, show up for work, feed their families, pay their bills, and be participatory individuals within their communities……please, please,please…..stop the red tape and let those that can also do these trades have some success in their lives, some self-worth and job/life satisfaction
Universities need to offer all trade programs including automotive mechanic courses.
a lot of young people that didnt get to grade 12 should be able should be able to lnto an on the jo training on the job training even if you only had grade 8 0r grade 10 a lot of even 30 and 40 year olds are stuggleing and another thing is get training now there are lots of young people need work in our country
Tax breaks for digital media and film production. Green energy, wind, solar. Develop new industries that are protected by the geography of BC. We already use hydro in this way. Urban agriculture, youth learning to grow and eat real food, food is ALWAYS needed!
Regulate and tax Cannabis, keep it away from kids.!
The opportunity for apprenticeships (jobs for apprentices) needs to be increased. I completed my pre-apprenticeship training in 2007 and have been unsuccessful in getting endentured because employers do not want to “take a chance” on an apprentice.
The government should give companies incentives to hire young people with less skills and work experience to give them a chance to gain valuable skills. The biggest problem that makes it hard to get a job is lack of experience. Employers need to offer positions that allow young people to get their foot in the door.
this so true where i live in a small town i know lots a young people who can’t get jobs. no experience but have the ticktes.
some workers are nearing retirement age and there is no one qualified to fill the space, but there are forward looking employers that institute a graduated retirement plan which lasts for a year or more, during that time the person looking to retire trains someone to fill his or her position while gradually cutting back his or her working hours, and increasing the trainees time , this is a win win situation, the trainee is ready to fulfill the requirements of the job, including able to institute and changes necessary and the retiree has eased int retirement.
Wondering, do we have less workers or more trade related jobs or both? Where is the data? Also, I don’t believe that British Columbia’s youth (or other residents) are not first in line-we want to hire local, however they all go to Alberta. Perhaps you need to be asking a different question.
Why is it just about the youth and employment? Many folks like myself who are unemployed should also have the same opportunities.
Let’s start by re training those on EI and have them first in line for these new jobs.
And at the same time get the youth trained .
Hi Michael, the goal of the Skills for BC discussion is to brainstorm ideas that focus on BC’s current and future skilled worker needs. Encouraging BC’s youth to get trades and technical skills is one way to ensure the province has the talent and workforce to meet future demands. If you’re currently looking for work, consider contacting the Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) program or a WorkBC Employment Centre for resources and support.
Thank you for the reply and providing this information. I will look and see what it has to offer. I know for myself, I have been trying to get into the trades for awhile.
Update: I feel that if you are going to provide information one should they provide it in the right context.
For anyone who is interested in the STEP program and is on EI can forget it, is not available.
They have said they would pass me along to a “New” program, but to be honest, like I said, a lot of talk but not much action. So we will see where it goes from here … if anywhere.
Hi Eva, it is projected that BC will have about 1 million job openings over the next decade. With approximately 608,000 people in our K-12 education system today, the growth in job openings is expected to outpace the number of workers in BC, especially trades and technical occupations. Visit http://www.WorkBC.ca for detailed projections by occupation and region as well as other labour market statistics that may be of interest.
I looked up the link and I am curious the wording says expected to out grow . What if it doesn’t ? Will this government pass legislation stating that since the math is proving this point all 608,000 students will be guaranteed employment when they graduate? And if they won’t then why are we basing questions on a hypothetical question?
Why not change the question to ask BCers with the globalization of the world how can we here in this province guarantee BC first?
Then propose to the government the top 6 rated thoughts on job creation for BC first?
Secondly , if this math is so accurate, why not based on the data inform the general public what jobs will be available and their expected benefits and pay? This would allow parents to start thinking about how their family can fit into that type of society?
We also need a discussion on how to guarantee benefits and wages in the current economic crisis. Those who are handicapped, those who less fortunate need access to services to help lift their families out of poverty not trap them in it. And with the unlimited access to information this seems to be a time when young Canadians can become engaged in social issues and create Canadian solutions for gobal problems .
makes one wonder is this government interested in helping all BCER’s or is it interested in selling a point of view that labour is short and that is why they are allowing immigrants to come in to work for less in all sectors?
Thank you Stewart for your suggestions and good advice. We will take your question and comments into consideration. Also wondering if you have seen the Job Trend Tracker. It has data on what will be available and information on wages as well.