April 19, 2011
Selinger Government Adds 1,200 New Apprenticeship Seats
– – –Government on Track to Meet Four-year Commitment of 4,000 New Seats: Premier
Budget 2011 will invest $4.15 million to create 1,200 new apprenticeship seats in Manitoba, providing better access for Manitobans looking to learn a trade, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“We are creating more opportunities for Manitobans and adding more skilled tradespeople to keep building our economy,” said Selinger. “Our government made a commitment to all Manitobans that we’d invest in education and training to help young people get the skills they need to build a future right here in Manitoba. Today, we’re following through on that commitment to create a total of 4,000 new apprenticeship spaces.”
Since 2008, $11.75 million in new funding has been committed to increasing apprenticeship seats in Manitoba. The premier noted, the total number of active apprentices has increased by 132 per cent to over 8,200 since 1999.
“Manitoba businesses know it and everyday families know it too - better training and education opportunities are the key to growing our economy and they’re giving families hope for a brighter future,” said Selinger.
“This couldn’t have been possible without new resources from the province and support from key stakeholders to move it forward including the Apprenticeship and Certification Board, employers and labour groups,” said Leonard Harapiak, chair of the Apprenticeship and Certification Board. “Together we have designated new trades and expanded apprenticeship training opportunities for young Manitobans.”
There are more than 50 designated trades in four sectors: industrial, transportation, construction and service. It is predicted that, over the next 10 years, 75 per cent of jobs will require technical post‑secondary education other than a university degree, the premier said. In the next two decades, 40 per cent of new jobs are expected to be in skilled trades and technology. In 1998, that number was less than 20 per cent.
The province is increasing college funding by $3.9 million in Budget 2011. Funding for colleges has increased by 131.6 per cent since 1999.
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