New Manufacturing Initiative to offer paid work placements to school students

NANAIMO – Secondary school students and recent graduates will soon have access to short-term, paid work placements at local manufacturers through a new program designed to help build a future workforce.
As part of the Future Ready Action Plan, the Province is providing $3 million to the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) to deliver the new Youth in Manufacturing Initiative. Starting in fall 2023, this initiative will provide short-term, paid work placements for as many as 500 B.C. youth aged 16 to 21.
The intake process is expected to begin in mid-June 2023 through EMC’s website.
“Manufacturing is a growing part of our economy with 49,000 new job openings coming to the sector over the next 10 years. Now is the time to introduce young people to the sector so they’re ready to fill those jobs,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “Today’s investment in new training opportunities will ensure youth can develop the high-demand skills they’ll need to find rewarding jobs when they are ready to begin their careers. That’s how you build a strong and sustainable economy that benefits all British Columbians.”
In addition to paid work experience and industry-recognized training, youth will be able to receive credits toward secondary-school graduation and apprenticeship certification. The initiative will be open to all B.C. youth and will promote the inclusion of under-represented groups, such as women and Indigenous people.
Eligible employers will receive as much as $3,500 per placement to offset onboarding and wage costs for this on-the-job training.
“Manufacturing and trades like mine, heavy-duty mechanics, are great, well-paying career choices,” said Sadie Craine, a secondary school student in Nanaimo. “I appreciate the opportunity I had to take a trades-sampler program so I could make an informed decision on my future. It is exciting that people my age looking for a career in manufacturing will get the opportunity to have paid work experience. I know from my own experience that once you have your foot in the door, many doors open up.”
According to BC government, B.C. manufacturing jobs pay well, with an average wage of $34.26 per hour (more than 10% higher than the national average manufacturing wage).
Some manufacturing industries in B.C. have average wages of more than $50 per hour, including aerospace, medical products, shipbuilding, machinery and wood products.
The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) will work with the Province and school districts to ensure youth interested in the Youth in Manufacturing Initiative are made aware of the opportunities available to them.