Premier Christy Clark laid out her plan for jobs in BC with her 2012 report “Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan.” In it, the government announces several items of interest to BCPLAN:

First, $15 million will be provided annually from the Labour Market Agreement to create regional workforce tables consisting of employers, labour, industries, communities, local chambers of commerce, and post-secondary institutions.

“Their input will inform how the Province delivers regionally based skills development programs, including $15 million to further support regional post-secondary institutions in addressing local labour needs.”

Second, $6 million will be provided annually to industry sector partnerships.

“[This will] help them identify their skill and workforce needs, with additional funding for upgrading skills so workers can benefit from these opportunities.”

Third, a plan to host a trades training conference this year.

“…bringing all partners together to identify ways to enhance the province’s trades training programs.”

In addition, the government plans further actions in the coming months aimed at “improving access to skills and apprenticeship training,” as well as, “exploring the potential for a single body to oversee formal credential assessments for foreign-trained professionals.”

We are excited about the government’s commitment to adult learners in the province and we are looking forward to exploring ways for BCPLAN to promote recognition or prior learning as a part of the solution.

Click here to read the full jobs plan.