B.C. invests $550,000 in shipbuilding industry

VANCOUVER – B.C. will support the province’s shipbuilding industry with a $550,000 investment to develop training strategies said Premiere Christy Clark at a news conference on Monday.

"This will give British Columbians the opportunity to seize the jobs in the marine industry – good solid jobs that support families," said Clark.

"The shipbuilding industry has been such an important part of our province’s history. We are committed to supporting the industry so that jobs will be there for generations to come."

Some of the programs that will be developed include skills development training, upgrading to help trade workers from other industries move into the marine sector, and a supervisor training course for those who are more experienced in the industry.

"I’m pleased the Province has come forward to support ship builders at this important time for our industry," said George MacPherson, president of Marine Workers and Boilermakers Industrial union, local no. 1.

"There is a strong need for B.C.’s shipbuilding and ship-repair industry to recruit and train new workers. This industry-led training program will help us keep marine jobs in B.C., where they belong."

A key partner in the program will be Camosun College.

Marine-specific trade and occupations is facing what Clark described as an aging workforce, which will soon be in need of younger workers, and that is where this training program will be able to kick in.

"A strong maritime industry is vital to our province’s ability to export its goods and commodities to overseas markets in Asia," said Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation. "This is a core area of our economy and I’m pleased to see so many partners working together to advance B.C.’s shipbuilding and ship repair industry."