Technical and vocational school programs in Manitoba are getting a financial boost.

New provincial investments in equipment for technical, vocational and industrial arts programs will help prepare students for jobs and help Manitoba businesses meet a growing demand for skilled workers

Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart was in Brandon Thursday to make the announcement at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School.

“With many of Manitoba’s certified tradespeople retiring in the next decade, businesses throughout our province will be looking for skilled workers,” said Wishart.  “These investments will enable high school students to train with the same equipment used by industry and prepare them to work in their chosen fields when they graduate.”

The Skills Strategy Equipment Enhancement Fund (SSEEF) provides targeted funding to ensure students have access to state-of-the-art equipment to learn the high-demand skills needed to find jobs in Manitoba’s growing economy, the minister said.

The minister noted the funding ensures programming is relevant to current and future labour market needs, and particular emphasis is placed on supporting high school level programs to become accredited by Apprenticeship Manitoba.

Technical vocational and industrial arts students in grades 7 to 12 will benefit from the $1.5-million investment.

Projects receiving funding are:

• $12,603 to Interlake School Division for Warren Collegiate’s industrial arts program;

• $9,499 to Prairie Rose School Division for Carman Collegiate’s woodworking program;