Professional Development/Skills Training

April 30, 2008

Manitoba gives $3.8 million for apprenticeships

The Ministry of Competitiveness, Training and Trade announced on April 15 that as part of the 2008 Budget, it was launching a $3.8 million initiative to support the creation of 1,100 new apprenticeship training seats, as well as a new apprenticeship tax credit for businesses.

April 30, 2008

Construction and tourism team up in British Columbia

The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) and the B.C. tourism industry’s human resources association, go2, have launched a joint initiative to recruit workers from other provinces and countries.

April 16, 2008

Construction Sector Council teams with Canadian colleges to prepare for future labour shortages

The Construction Sector Council (CSC) has signed a partnership agreement with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) so both parties can collaborate to make the right training available to develop the next generation of skilled workers.

April 14, 2008

British Columbia government offers $1.4 million to Industry Training Authority

The B.C. government is providing $1.4 million in funding to the Industry Training Authority (ITA) to help increase Aboriginal and youth participation in industry training and apprenticeship programs.

April 2, 2008

Manitoba moves ahead with plans to modernize apprenticeship system

The provincial government released a report last week from the Apprenticeship Futures Commission. The document makes recommendations for modernizing and expanding the province's apprenticeship system.

March 19, 2008

British Columbia recruiters attract 2,500 Ontario job-seekers

Representatives of the British Columbia construction industry participated in a provincial government recruitment initiative in Ontario late last month. The drive was intended to spread the word about employment opportunities in the British Columbia.

March 17, 2008

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology plans construction management program

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) has hired a new academic chair to establish a bachelor of science program in construction management, which will be unique in western Canada. The construction department at SAIT is still in the early stages of planning the proposed program. The new academic chair was hired in November 2007 to get program approval and accreditation through the Ministry of Advanced Education and the Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC). .

March 5, 2008

British Columbia Industrial Training Authority approves plan to offer Red Seal program in Jamaica

The B.C. Industrial Training Authority has approved a joint initiative in Jamaica to allow construction workers to participate in a Red Seal accreditation program, before they are recruited for jobs in Canada.

February 18, 2008

British Columbia government’s throne speech encourages construction sector to tackle climate change

The 2008 British Columbia throne speech identified measures the provincial government is taking to encourage the construction sector to meet new environmental targets and take on climate change.

February 18, 2008

University College of the Fraser Valley recycles not just materials, but buildings in new trades training facility

The University College of the Fraser Valley (UCFV) in Chilliwack, B.C. opened a $21.6 million Trades and Technology Centre, which is the largest “recycled” training facility in the province. The centre was built within the shell of an existing building, using large portions of recycled material.