INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY BECOMES SKILLEDTRADESBC

December 6, 2022

ABOUT SKILLEDTRADESBC

On December 1, Industry Training Authority (ITA) transitioned to a new organizational name, SkilledTradesBC, along with a new mandate. While our role in advancing B.C.’s skilled trades system hasn’t changed, it has expanded. This includes a larger focus on raising the profile of skilled trades, modernizing our approach to trades training, and implementing Skilled Trades Certification. Our organization will continue to advance B.C.’s skilled trades system to meet the needs of British Columbians. We do this by working closely with employers and industry partners to uphold the highest standards in certification, fund trades training for apprentices and promote a wide range of rewarding, well-paying careers that are essential for our communities.

WHY SKILLEDTRADESBC

SkilledTradesBC’s CEO Shelley Gray shares more from her perspective about this organizational transition and why she is excited by our expanded mandate and new name which will make it easier for people across the province to understand who we are and what we do. To hear more about this, watch our short video HERE.

WHY NOW

While B.C. has a strong and effective trades training system that offers multiple pathways for individuals to achieve certification, it is also the only province with no mandatory trades certification. In June of 2021, the Government of B.C. announced the new Skilled Trades Certification program to be implemented by SkilledTradesBC. We will begin implementing this program for the first seven trades beginning December 1, which includes the following trades:

  • Electrical: construction electrician, industrial electrician, powerline technician
  • Mechanical: refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, gasfitter A & B, steamfitter/pipefitter, sheet metal worker

Three additional automotive trades (heavy-duty equipment technician, automotive service technician and autobody and collision technician) will be introduced as Skilled Trades Certification trades in 2024 and will have one year to transition once announced.

Read more about the importance of certification in the Government of B.C.’s news release here. And if you are a worker or employer in one of the Skilled Trades Certification trades and want to start your journey to Skilled Trades Certification now, find out more here.

HOW TO REACH SKILLEDTRADESBC

Although we are now operating under a new name, our day-to-day focus on supporting the tens of thousands of apprentices, employers and other trades training partners like yourselves remains the same. Our ITA contact information, website and email addresses are being transitioned to SkilledTradesBC over the next few days, however the ITA contacts will still work. Please update and start using our new contact information which includes: