The provincial government has tabled Bill 4 – the Skilled Trades Act that, once given Royal Assent, will replace the existing Industry Training Authority Act and transform the Industry Training Authority (ITA) into SkilledTradesBC, the modernized Crown agency responsible for skilled trades training in B.C.
According to the province, the renewed focus of SkilledTradesBC reflects the expanded responsibilities associated with skilled trades certification, and a new focus on promoting and supporting apprentices and trainees throughout their training journey. SkilledTradesBC will remain the authority on trades training in B.C. with enhanced and streamlined services to help apprentices navigate training and get access to support.
With the new Skilled Trades BC Act, the Province hopes it will lay the foundation to address labour shortages, and support and recognize the critical work that skilled tradespeople do in British Columbia.
“We want apprentices in British Columbia to be able to count on having good, family-supporting jobs with steady work once they complete their training,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “As the only province without skilled trades certification, B.C. workers and employers have been at a disadvantage. With 85,000 new job openings expected in the trades by 2031, there are so many opportunities for meaningful work in B.C. That is why we’re launching a new, made-in-B.C. skilled trades certification system to encourage more people to choose careers in the trades, so they can prosper and employers can find the workers they need as B.C. builds a strong economic recovery.”
Skilled trades certification will require people to register as an apprentice or be a certified journeyperson to work in one of the 10 initial mechanical, electrical and automotive trades. The Province hopes this certification will increase prestige in the trades by recognizing trades workers’ in-demand skills and experience, pave the way for greater steady employment opportunities and higher wages, and attract more people to the trades.
Skilled trades certification for these initial trades will be implemented in phases between 2022 and 2024, pending the passage of legislation.
We will continue to monitor the Bill debate and update our members as needed.
Our team is available to answer any questions, so please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Deborah Cahill,
President, Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia
dcahill@eca.bc.ca
Further background on Skilled Trades Certification from the provincial government:
Skilled trades certification will support steady work and good-paying jobs for tradespeople by formally recognizing the skills of current and future workers. This will help workers continue working as the economy’s and industry’s needs shift over time. It will increase prestige for the trades and help attract more people to trades careers. Skilled trades certification will enhance the strong industry and safety training system, which includes partnerships with WorkSafeBC and Technical Safety BC.
The 10 trades initially identified for skilled trades certification were selected based on recommendations from a 16-member stakeholder advisory working group, which included representation from industry associations, labour, post-secondary institutions, Indigenous skills trainers and the Industry Training Authority.
The skilled trades certification trades are:
- mechanical: gasfitter Class A and B, steamfitter/pipefitter, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic, and sheet metal worker.
- electrical: powerline technician, industrial electrician and electrician (construction).
- automotive: heavy-duty equipment technician, automotive service technician; and autobody and collision technician.
Once implemented, individuals in these 10 trades will be required to either be a certified journeyperson or a registered apprentice to work. People will have at least one year to either register as apprentices or challenge an exam to certify as a journeyperson, allowing uncertified workers time to access any additional supports they may need while continuing to work.
To ensure high standards of supervision, safety and quality training for apprentices, government will work with industry to introduce journeyperson-to-apprentice ratios for each of these 10 trades, as in every other province.
Twenty-five apprenticeship advisors will help workers register to get certified and aid them with accessing support provided by the government, including financial assistance for child-care, lost wages, travel and living expenses.