Starting in July, B.C. contractors on public jobs will have to sponsor apprentices. The B.C. government announced that its new Apprentices on Public Projects policy is going to connect more young people to the skills and training they need to be first in line for careers in construction.

The new policy will leverage government’s multi-billion dollar annual investment in infrastructure by requiring contractors working on major public construction projects like schools, roads, bridges and hospitals with a $15-million-plus government investment to sponsor apprentices through the entire project cycle and report on their on-project use prior to receiving their final payment. The policy applies to projects tendered after July 1, 2015.

According to the province, the policy aims to ensure British Columbians are trained to fill the million job openings expected between now and 2022 – with 44 per cent in the skilled trades and technical occupations. It will also help meet the labour workforce requirements of private sector projects.

The policy is part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint launched one year ago to re-engineer education and training so B.C. is connecting people with the skills required for in demand jobs.

Beyond the requirement for projects over $15 million, the government also encourages companies working on smaller projects to put apprentices to work and to share reports on apprentices being employed.

“Employer sponsors are key to guaranteeing a skilled workforce needed to sustain and grow our economy,” said Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority (ITA). “This policy ensures apprentices have opportunities to gain experience that aligns with labour market demands so they have the right skills in the right place at the right time for the future.”