WHEREAS the provincial community colleges have a vital role to play in supporting regional economic, social and human resource development; AND WHEREAS BC is experiencing significant economic change as a result of the decline in the forest products industry, coupled with the need to support growth and diversification of other economic sectors e.g. mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, transportation and logistics, tourism, etc.: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request that the provincial government make increased investments capital and operating funding in educational institutions and facilities, in order that they will be able to provide the retraining programs and services needed to enable individuals to make labour force transitions, as well as provide access to the skilled workers employers will need to work in new and emerging sectors; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities lobby the provincial government to establish a new funding framework to ensure the ongoing long-term sustainability of the community college system in BC.
Ministry of Advanced Education Labour Market Development The BC Government through the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development has invested more than 1.5 billion since 2001 in new and better campuses all around BC which is unprecedented in our provinces history approximately 650 capital projects in all.