Victoria, British Columbia — Shelley Gray, CEO for Skilled Trades B.C. announced that the perception of the trades as a career is shifting as record numbers of both first-year apprentices and overall apprentices in the province have increased.
Approximately 15,000 new apprentices registered in 2023 to 2024, up 21 percent from the previous year and above the provincial annual average of 12,00 to 13,000.
Moreover, according to Skilled Trades B.C., the 2023 to 2024 overall figures recorded 47,000 apprentices registered with the organization.
Skilled Trades B.C. also noted that approximately 10 percent of apprentices registered are women entering the trades.
The organization further announced three automotive trades will be introduced to the certification program. The three trades include heavy-duty equipment technician, automotive service technician and auto-body collision technician. Currently, no phase-in date has been announced.
In response to the record number of registered apprentices, Gray commented that “this is the highest recorded in B.C. The process has been one of breaking down the stigma of trade jobs and showing they are well-paying jobs and offer lots of opportunity.”
For more information, click here, or check out the Skilled Trades B.C. website.
