B.C. introduces skills certification for apprentices in 10 trades

The British Columbia government is seekingto modernize the Crown agency responsible for training workers in the trades sector.

Minister of Advanced Education and Skills TrainingAnne Kang says new legislation being introduced aims to create SkilledTradesBC, an 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 journeypersonworkers 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.

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.