B.C. and LNG Canada announce funding to advance skills training

VANCOUVER – Employers in the construction sector will now be able to apply for funding to help their current and future employees upgrade their skills, thanks to two complementary funding programs announced today by the B.C. government and LNG Canada.

Recognizing the importance of the construction sector to B.C.͛s economy, especially with the generational opportunity that the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector presents, these two funding streams will help provide employees with the skills and training they need to fill available jobs.

LNG Canada will introduce the LNG Canada ʹTrades Training Fund, a new program that will provide a total of $1 million to employers in B.C. in support of industry and apprenticeship training in the construction sector to build a workforce to meet the needs of the LNG industry. The fund will be administered by the BC Construction Association (BCCA) and details of the training fund, including eligibility criteria and application dates, will be available on the BCCA website at: www.bccassn.com and the LNG Canada website at: www.lngcanada.ca

To complement this new Trades Training Fund, companies in the construction sector can also apply to the Canada-B.C. Job Grant (CJG) which will provide $500,000 for employee training occurring before April 1, 2016. The Canada-B.C. Job Grant is a three-way partnership between the federal and provincial governments as well as employers. Government provides two-thirds of the total training cost for an employee up to $10,000 per person, while the employer is responsible for the remaining one-third of the training cost.

Eligible employers will be able to receive funding from the LNG Canada ʹTrades Training Fund to offset their one-third share of the CJG training cost.

Information on CJG eligibility criteria, application procedures and dates are available on WorkBC͛s website at: https://www.workbc.ca/canadabcjobgrant. Additional CJG applications will be accepted in January 2016 and program details will be available at WorkBC.ca in December 2015.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour

“The LNG industry represents tremendous opportunities for British Columbians, with the potential to generate billions of dollars in investment and create thousands of jobs in B.C. This is an exciting, transformative time and we want to prepare all British Columbians ʹand B.C. businesses ʹto seize the LNG opportunities coming our way.

We have been working with industry partners to better align training with future job demands. Our partnership with LNG Canada and the re-opening of the Canada-B.C. Job Grant to the construction sector are examples of how we can provide industry-specific training to keep the B.C. economy diverse, strong and growing in the future.”

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing ʹ

“This partnership ensures people benefit with the skills and training they need to prosper alongside the diversification of our natural gas sector and the development of LNG Canada. Collectively, we are building a secure long-term future for British Columbians.”

Andy Calitz, LNG Canada CEO

“The $1 million LNG Canada Trades Training Fund will enable British Columbians to benefit from careers in all industries, and particularly the emerging LNG industry. By collaborating with government and the BC Construction Association, we can support construction employers and their apprentices with access to funding for training and skills development to fully realize job opportunities.”

Manley McLachlan, president, BC Construction Association

“The BC Construction Association is honoured to support LNG Canada in its efforts to help construction employers get their new and existing apprentices the training they need to reach their trade qualification. This is the kind of collaboration between private sector and government that puts real advantages in the hands of our young people. We͛re all for it.

Quick Facts:

• By 2017-18, a total of approximately $68 million will be invested in British Columbia through the Canada-B.C. Job Grant.
• To date, more than 8,000 employees are receiving training through the Canada-B.C. Job Grant, and more than 2,000 employers have been approved for funding to train current or new employees. By the end of 2015-16, employers will have contributed $12 million in funding towards skills training in British Columbia.
• In addition to the $1 million Trades Training Fund, LNG Canada has contributed another $500,000 in programs to build awareness and help provide training for trades careers in all industries, and particularly the emerging LNG industry.

Learn More:
For more information on Canada-B.C. Job Grant, visit:
https://www.workbc.ca/canadabc…

To apply to the LNG Canada Trades Training Fund visit the BCCA website: www.bccassn.com