VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jan 23, 2015) -
Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.
The Industry Training Authority (ITA) today announced that Skills Canada British Columbia (Skills BC) will receive a one-time $200,000 funds transfer to support the 2015 B.C. Provincial and Regional Competitions.
Skills BC hosts 13 annual Regional Competitions in communities around the province leading up to one Provincial Competition. Regional Competitions allow B.C. students from grade 6 to grade 12 to showcase their talents in the skilled trades and technologies. Students in secondary school compete in a variety of skills competitions, while those in the lower grades compete in series of Junior Skills Competitions, specially designed for their skill level. Winners in each competition area are awarded gold, silver or bronze medals, with the majority of gold medal winners qualifying to compete in the annual Provincial Competition.
In addition, many Regional Competitions also host "Discover Trade and Technology" demonstrations, providing the thousands of spectators and students who attend the events with hands-on opportunities to experience skilled trades and technologies.
"The $200,000 Industry Training Authority (ITA) investment in the Skills Canada BC Competition is a great way to invest in B.C.'s future and ensure young people can find their fit in a growing and strong economy. There is no better way to get young people excited about careers in construction, the resource sector and technical occupations than through hands-on skills competitions like this,"says Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour.
"Investments like those made by ITA go a very long way in providing youth across B.C. with opportunities to explore skilled trades and technology careers in their local communities," says Amber Papou, Executive Director, Skills Canada BC. "The skills competitions are an important part of Skills BC programming; showcasing the skills of the province's future workforce in safe, engaging and hands-on environments".
"ITA is proud to support Skills BC and to build on our focus of awakening interest in the trades in youth," says Gary Herman, Chief Executive Officer, Industry Training Authority. "These regional competitions are an amazing and unique opportunity for our talented tradespeople to show off their skills, and are also a way to celebrate and reward students for their mastery in a chosen trade."
Skills Canada British Columbia (Skills BC):www.skillscanada.bc.ca
Since 1994, Skills Canada British Columbia (Skills BC) has operated as a provincial not-for-profit organization, working with industry, educators, government and labour to promote rewarding and in-demand skilled trade & technology careers to B.C.'s youth.
Skills BC's unique programming allows the organization to position itself as an early influencer; offering youth in grades K-12 and in post-secondary, safe and engaging environments in which to explore trade & technology careers. This programming also provides their partners with the opportunity to directly network and reach over twelve thousand students in communities across the province each year.
BACKGROUNDER
Skills Canada British Columbia Competitions:
| Region | Date(s) | Location(s) |
| Cariboo | February 27 | Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops |
| Central Interior | March 20 | Kelly Road Secondary, Prince George |
| Central Lower Mainland | March 5 | Aberdeen Centre, Richmond |
| Central Lower Mainland | February 19 | New Westminster Secondary |
| Central Lower Mainland | TBA | Samuel Robertson Secondary, Maple Ridge |
| Central Okanagan | March 6 | Okanagan College, Kelowna |
| Kootenays | March 6 | College of the Rockies, Cranbrook |
| Lower Fraser Valley | March 6 | Kwantlen Polytechnic, Cloverdale |
| North West | January 23 | Northwest Community College, Terrace |
| N.W. Lower Mainland | February 27 | Eric Hamber Secondary, Vancouver |
| N.W. Lower Mainland | March 4 | Vancouver Community College |
| N.W. Lower Mainland | March 5 | Howe Sound Secondary, Squamish |
| Peace River | January 23 | Northern Lights College, Dawson Creek |
| Upper Fraser Valley | March | University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack |
| Vancouver Island Central | February 20 | Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo |
| Vancouver Island North | March 6 | North Island College, Campbell River |
| Vancouver Island South | February 27 | Camosun College, Victoria |
Hashtags: #skills4bc #findyourfit
To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20150123-988999_photo_800.jpg
