Advancing B.C.’s Aerospace and Life Sciences sectors with $14.5M from PacifiCan

Transcript

What do the aerospace and the life sciences have in common? They are both high growth, innovative sectors right here in British Columbia. That is why today I'm announcing $14.5 million in funding for innovative training right here at BCIT. These funds will support two training programs. Funding of $5.2 million will go towards establishing a national biomanufacturing training center. B.C. is also home to a very strong aerospace sector. So PacifiCan will be providing funding of $9.3 million that will help BCIT launch another new training program in gas turbine maintenance, repair and overhaul.

These two programs mean for BCIT a couple of very important things. One is the BCIT works very aggressively with industry and with the training of education that's aligned directly with the needs of the industry sectors. We know that British Columbia and Western Canada needs access to larger labor pool and we are proud to be an important part of addressing this solution in developing a talent engine powering Canada biomanufacturing sector, by ensuring that future and current employees have the necessary skills to meet the growth of industry and succeed in their career.

This initiative shows what is possible when we work together with the Government of Canada, the Government of B.C., Life Sciences B.C., BCIT and many companies coordinating to bring the vision of the NBTC into reality. Together, we can build a strong life sciences sector. So these two initiatives are really about three things. They're about innovation. They're about achieving new standards of excellence. But ultimately, it's about investing in people our people, our students, faculty and our staff. And it's about the opportunity to provide them with the very best skills we can to ensure that Canada stays ahead in the technology sectors.