WHEREAS it is known that, as our population ages, we will be facing a workforce shortage within the next ten years and that we must actively encourage young people to enter the trades in order to mitigate this shortage; AND WHEREAS the cooperation of industry is crucial to the success of any apprenticeship program: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities lobby the Province of British Columbia to work with the Apprenticeship Board to ensure that an increased number of apprentices are trained yearly; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Province explore incentive programs to encourage industry to work with the Apprenticeship Board to ensure that there are apprenticeship positions available in which to complete their training in the region.
MINISTRY OF ADVANCED EDUCATION Government is working with the Industry Training Authority to develop a strategy to encourage young people to enter the trades and to increase the number of trainees in the industry training system in British Columbia. In addition, the Ministry of Advanced Education has been developing training consortia in key sectors where shortages are foreseen, bringing together industry and educators. Aerospace, oil and gas, and hospitality and tourism consortia have been established. The increase in industry trainees will help provide British Columbia with the skilled trades and technical workers it needs to meet the demands of our provinces growing economy, preparation for the Olympic Games, and retirement replacement. The new approach to industry training in British Columbia is a partnership between industry, government, trainers and trainees and all four partners have a role to play. We must collectively explore all avenues for increasing industry training throughout the province. MINISTRY OF SKILLS, DEVELOPMENT AND LABOUR Successful implementation of a new industry-training model is dependent on creating partnerships between educators and employers, that ensure training is relevant and timely, and that trainees can move into apprenticeship positions in order to complete their training and be certified. The ITA is currently looking at a number of models to help create such partnerships. In addition to the activity of the ITA, the Ministry of Advanced Education has been developing training consortia in key sectors with anticipated shortages, in order to bring together industry and educators in these key areas. To date, two consortia have been announced: aerospace and oil gas, and ministry staff are exploring other sectors where such an approach would add value. Independent sector councils in key industries have also identified the need to attract youth into key sectors facing skills shortages, and have begun developing career awareness materials to attract youth into these sectors. Government has been working with sectors such as construction and oil gas on industry-led initiatives to ensure that linkages are made with school districts, and that career development materials do not duplicate existing efforts. In May, 2004, government released a Provincial Human Resource Strategy focused on identifying skills shortages that might impede economic growth. This strategy was based on detailed discussions with employers already operating in key sectors of the economy such as forestry and oil gas sectors that play key roles in B.C.s economy. The Provincial Human Resource Strategy lays out a framework for thinking about what we already do in a more efficient and effective manner a critical first step before new resources are added to the system. As outlined in the Provincial Human Resource Strategy, while a lot of activity is already going on, we will fall short of meeting our economys future skill requirements if we do not collectively explore all avenues for filling skills shortages. This includes looking at training, but also initiatives such as immigration of skilled workers, interprovincial mobility of workers, upgrading the skills of the existing workforce, and clarifying the role of government and employers in areas such as compensation, working conditions, recruitment and retention. These are all mechanisms that play a role in the adjustment of labour markets and should not be supplanted through a sole focus on training.
INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY ...We are working to ensure that training in BC is truly industry-led, and that there is a close alignment between training outcomes and current and anticipated labour market needs. This entails both the development of new Industry Training Programs and refinements to existing ones. We are also working with training providers to maximize the efficiency with which available training resources are used, and to identify more flexibly training delivery mechanisms that will better meet both trainee and employer needs. In short, we are working to develop a training system that will better meet evolving industry needs, while providing excellent career development opportunities for British Columbians... ...we are targeting a 30 increase in the number of people pursuing industry training, and a 15 increase in the number of employers and sponsors offering training placements. We have already made significant progress towards these and other goals, having increased the number of active trainees from 14,676 at the end of the last fiscal March 31, 2004 to 17,632 at the end of October 2004. I trust this provides you with reassurance that we are in agreement with the spirit of your resolution - and that steps are being taken to address the underlying issues, and results already being achieved... Full Industry Training Authority response available in UBCM office.