SPRING 2022 EDITION: TRADES AND TECHNOLOGY
WELCOME TO ASCEND Welcome to the spring edition of Ascend – our quarterly look at important labour market themes in
generate over $15 billion dollars in GDP per year. At least 550 career openings in telecommunications installation and repair are expected between 2019 and 2029.
our region. In this issue, we are focusing on Trades
College of the Rockies is working to respond to
and Technology, industries which are of keen interest
the demand for trained workers in the Trades and
to many in our region.
Technology sectors. We offer both foundation and
The 2021 Labour Market Outlook includes Cooks, Automotive Service Technicians, Hairstylists, Carpenters, Electricians, Welders, Plumbers, Industrial Mechanics (Millwrights), and Heavy
apprenticeship training in a variety of skilled trades and our new Wireless Systems Technician program prepares students to respond to the changing resource and manufacturing sectors.
Duty Equipment Mechanics in their list of the top
I hope you find the information in this edition of
15 trades expected to have the greatest number
Ascend valuable. Please reach out to me at ascend@
of job openings in the next 10 years. Additionally,
cotr.bc.ca with any questions and observations.
the 2016 TechTalentBC Report indicated that in Canada, the tech sector has become a pillar of the national economy, creating over 1.4 million jobs for Canadians.
Kind regards,
British Columbia has established itself as one of the tech leaders in the country. In the last 15 years, BC’s tech sector has grown at a faster pace than the province’s overall economy, expanding 91% to
Paul Vogt, President and CEO
REGIONAL OVERVIEW More than one third (34.6%) of the Kootenay region’s employment comes from construction, forestry, manufacturing, mining, repair and personal services, and transportation and warehousing - all sectors supported by College of the Rockies’ Trades and Technology programming. The average median wage for many trades is higher in the East Kootenay than the BC average.
WHAT WE OFFER College of the Rockies offers a number of Skilled Trades programs as well as a technology program:
Construction Trades
Automotive Trades
Industrial Trades
• Carpenter • Electrician • Plumber
• Automotive Service Technician
• Industrial Mechanic • Heavy Duty Equipment Technician • Welder • Industrial Electrician
Discovery Programs
Service Trades
Technology
• Trades Sampler • Women in Trades Sampler
• Hairstylist • Professional Cook
• Wireless Systems Technician
• Timber Framing
PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE The provincial government has announced the new Skilled Trades BC Act which will require those working in the trades to be certified. In the initial roll-out, those working in the mechanical, electrical, and automotive trades will be required to register as an apprentice or be a certified journeyperson. It is expected this shift, which aligns with how the rest of Canada currently operates, will provide those working in the trades better opportunities and wages, while at the same time providing better public safety. As the regional training providers for mechanical, electrical, and automotive trades, College of the Rockies is keen to support apprentices and employers in the move to skilled trades certification, not only for these trades, but those that will follow in the next phase of implementation.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN We have been excited to offer Women in Trades Sampler programs at our Cranbrook campus. These programs provide women with the opportunity to try out six different trades (carpenter, electrical, automotive, plumber, industrial mechanic, and welder) over 12 weeks. The response has been overwhelming and we look forward to continuing to offer this opportunity to women in our region. More information at cotr.ca/WITT
KEEPING PACE WITH CHANGING TECHNOLOGY One of our Automotive Service Technician instructors has taken part in valuable and specialized zero emission vehicle (ZEV) training that he will now be able to pass on to students in the program. The College currently uses two hybrid vehicles in the AST program and will soon add a Zero Emission Vehicle to its fleet to support the new training.
A GREAT START TO A NEW CAREER On February 25, five Hairstylist students took part in the Regional Skills Competition in two categories: Youth Train in Trades and Adult. Two of our students won - one in each category. Congratulations to Emily Lindsay (far left) and Breanna Smith (2nd from left) on winning gold! These two students will travel to Provincials in Vancouver in April.
GETTING A HEAD START In partnership with School Districts 5, 6, and 8 and the Industry Training Authority, we are proud to offer the Youth Train in Trades program. Students in this program are able to get started on their skilled trades apprenticeship while still in high school. Eligible programs include: Automotive Service Technician, Carpenter, Professional Cook, Electrician, Hairstylist, Heavy Mechanical, Industrial Mechanic (Millwright), Plumber, and Welder. Learn more at: cotr.ca/YTT
TAKE A LOOK INSIDE OUR PROGRAMS
MINING APPRENTICE PROGRAM (MAP) This innovative program, delivered in collaboration with Teck Elk Valley Operations, provides training opportunities to apprentices in Heavy Duty Equipment Technician, as well as Industrial Electrician. Apprentices are sponsored by the College and complete their work-based training hours on site at Teck’s Elk Valley mines. Their in-class training is completed through our trades training programs.
READY. SET. FOR CHANGE.
GO.
FOR SUCCESS. FORWARD TOGETHER.
Our Trades and Technology programs are developed in response to regional needs and are data-driven and sustainable.
• Our Trades programs are updated regularly to keep student learning current. • Our Wireless Systems Technician program responds to a rapidly transforming industry.
• Strong relationships with community partners provide enhanced learning opportunities for students and ensure graduates are prepared to fill regional needs.
TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT College of the Rockies serves the communities of the East Kootenays. All of the College’s campuses are located in the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa people which is also home to the Kinbasket people. Five First Nations bands are located in the regional boundary of the College: Four of which are Ktunaxa and one is Shuswap. Additionally, the College partners with the Kootenay Regional Office of the Métis Nation, BC. We are thankful for all our Indigenous
*All employment and wage data in this report retrieved from 2020 Job Bank Wage Data, BC Labour Market Outlook, and EMSI Q3 2021 Data Set. Subscribe for the digital version of Ascend at: cotr.ca/ascend
partners and are constantly seeking new ways to support the development of our community.
Cranbrook Campus Phone: 250-489-8242 Email: cranbrookce@cotr.bc.ca
Fernie Campus Phone: 250-423-4691 email: fernie@cotr.bc.ca
Kimberley Campus Phone: 250-427-7116 x3752 Email: kimberley@cotr.bc.ca
Cranbrook Gold Creek Campus Phone: 250-489-8242 Email: cranbrookce@cotr.bc.ca
Golden Campus Phone: 250-344-5901 Email: golden@cotr.bc.ca
cotr.ca
Creston Campus Phone: 250-428-5332 email: creston@cotr.bc.ca
Invermere Campus Phone: 250-342-3210 Email: invermere@cotr.bc.ca