By Canadian Press

B.C. introduces skills trade certification for apprentices, journeymen in 10 trades

Feb 14, 2022 | 5:30 PM

VICTORIA — The British Columbia government has introduced legislation to modernize the Crown agency responsible for training workers in the trades sector.

Skills Training Minister Anne Kang says the legislation would create SkilledTradesBC, a new Crown agency that would focus on supporting and training apprentices.  

The provincial government estimates there will be up to 85,000 openings in skilled trades over the next decade.

Kang says the new agency’s role would focus on overseeing the skills training requirements for apprentice and journeyman workers in 10 trades, including industrial electricians, heavy duty equipment technicians and gasfitters. 

She says skills training requirements for the trades in B.C. were eliminated in 2003 but making them a requirement provides workers with recognized credentials that benefit employers and employees.

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Culturally appropriate food goes beyond the ingredients on a plate

7h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

Dec 13, 2024

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

Dec 13, 2024

Kang says under the new certification program, which could start later this year, workers would have at least one year to register for apprenticeship programs or take an exam to get certified.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2022.

The Canadian Press