New act supports good trades jobs, economic recovery

February 14, 2022

New legislation to establish a made-in-B.C. system to support and train apprentices and modernize the Crown agency responsible for trades training has been introduced in the legislature.

The new Skilled Trades BC Act lays the foundation to address labour shortages, and support and recognize the critical work that skilled tradespeople do in British Columbia.

In 2003, compulsory skilled trades certification was eliminated, making B.C. the only province without this requirement.

“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.”

Source: BC Government