The provincial government is directing $3 million to employers that are willing to give young people a start in manufacturing careers.

The B.C. government, at a press conference at Nanaimo香蕉视频直播檚 VMAC Global Technology Inc. on Monday, May 15, announced the funding for the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium to deliver a youth in manufacturing initiative. Beginning this fall, as many as 500 youths aged 16-21 will have the opportunity to take on short-term, paid work placements and receive credits toward high school graduation and apprenticeship certification.

The employers participating in the program will receive up to $3,500 per placement to offset wages and costs related to onboarding and training.

Brenda Bailey, B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 minister of jobs, economic development and innovation, said in the release that manufacturing is a growing sector in British Columbia, and estimated 49,000 new job openings over the next 10 years.

香蕉视频直播淣ow is the time to introduce young people to the sector so they香蕉视频直播檙e ready to fill those jobs,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淭oday香蕉视频直播檚 investment in new training opportunities will ensure youths can develop the high-demand skills they香蕉视频直播檒l need to find rewarding jobs when they are ready to begin their careers.香蕉视频直播�

Tod Gilbert, VMAC president, said a shortage of skilled workers is a significant challenge limiting the industry香蕉视频直播檚 potential for growth.

香蕉视频直播淰MAC applauds this program as it not only supports growing B.C. businesses like ours, but also provides an opportunity for young people around the province to learn about meaningful and sustainable employment in the manufacturing sector,香蕉视频直播� he said in the release.

Sadie Craine, 16, a Grade 11 student, is doing a trades-sampler program through Vancouver Island University and is doing her work experience at Berk香蕉视频直播檚 Intertruck in Nanaimo with hopes to get into heavy-duty mechanics.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e always worked with my hands. I was never really the smartest in academics, so when I found out I could leave for the last two years of high school, I took the opportunity,香蕉视频直播� Craine said.

Derek Beeston, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools district principal for the careers and technical centre, said the trades-sampler program gives students another opportunity to try something to see if it香蕉视频直播檚 a good fit for them and since students are paid while doing their work experience, it lowers economic barriers that might have prevented them from being able to afford to explore a career in the trades.

香蕉视频直播淭his is just that one little piece that allows a student to get that experience, to hone in on what they want to do, so they don香蕉视频直播檛 waste time training for the wrong career,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淎nd, because the student香蕉视频直播檚 also going to be paid, it helps them to be able to make the decision to try it 香蕉视频直播� Often, for economic reasons, students don香蕉视频直播檛 get to do stuff because they just plain can香蕉视频直播檛 afford it 香蕉视频直播� It香蕉视频直播檚 a huge game-changer.香蕉视频直播�

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