Innovation in skilled trades training and apprenticeship in BC: Inventory of innovation

In British Columbia, we have an incredible opportunity on the horizon. The provincial government’s ‘B.C.’s skills for jobs blueprint: re-engineering education and training’, supports efforts to continually explore and develop new and innovative ways to make trades training work better, especially through stronger partnerships with industry, labour and training providers, so BC students and workers are first in line for the jobs in the growing economy. In 2014-15, the Industry Training Authority (ITA) and the provincial government worked together to collect nearly 100 examples of innovative practices in use in the BC trades training system, helping improve trades training outcomes. Substantive work is underway in all regions across the province. This report summarizes a few examples of innovative practices involving flexible delivery, regional access, student supports and partnerships.