The B.C. government is celebrating Apprenticeship Recognition month as a record number of people have registered as apprentices.

So far this year, 15,075 people in British Columbia have registered for apprenticeships, a 20 per cent increase over last year.

“Tradespeople build the infrastructure and provide the services that British Columbians rely on every day,” said Selina Robinson, minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “B.C.’s apprentices are skilled, certified and are critical to building a stronger B.C. Our government continues to take action to make sure that more people can access the skills training and supports they need to prosper in a rewarding career in the trades.”

The B.C. government has proclaimed November as Apprenticeship Recognition Month for the fifth year in a row. During this time, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills and SkilledTradesBC celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of apprentices, employer sponsors, youth-program participants and trades-program training providers throughout B.C., and raise awareness about the benefits of a career and certification in the skilled trades.

“An apprenticeship in a skilled trade is a valuable entry point to a long-lasting, good-paying career that is helping to build B.C.,” said Andrew Mercier, minister of State of Workforce Development. “With more than 83,000 skilled-trades jobs expected over the next decade, this is the time to begin your career in skilled trades.”

Technical training is available in more than 65 trades and offered at 15 public post-secondary institutions and non-public training providers. SkilledTradesBC funds more than 26,000 apprenticeship and foundation training seats to train the next generation of skilled trade workers in B.C.

Over the past year, SkilledTradesBC began implementing skilled-trades certification, starting with seven trades in the electrical and mechanical sectors. Uncertified trade workers in those trades will be required to register as an apprentice or pass a certification exam before Dec. 1, 2023.

“During Apprenticeship Recognition Month, we celebrate the dedication and remarkable accomplishments of our apprentices,” said Shelley Gray, CEO, SkilledTradesBC. “It has been an extraordinary year with a record-breaking number of people entering the skilled trades in B.C. to pursue fulfilling, lifelong careers. In addition, our introduction of skilled-trades certification represents a significant step towards standardizing training at a high level, emphasizing our commitment to providing our apprentices the best opportunities to succeed.”