BC aligns operating grants with in-demand career fields

British Columbia's government has announced that beginning in 2014–15, operating grants awarded to the province's PSE institutions will be aligned with high-demand jobs. In the past, BC targeted approximately 10% of its provincial operating grants to in-demand fields; under the new Skills for Jobs Blueprint, this percentage will increase to 25% by 2017–18. The adjusted funding will focus on the top 60 high-demand occupations identified in BC's 2022 Labour Market Outlook, priority health occupations, regional labour priorities, Aboriginal people, and people with disabilities. "BC is shifting education and training to better align with in-demand occupations. Aligning postsecondary funding to jobs in demand will help students get the education and training needed for our economy," said Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson. BC News Release