Skip to content

Focus on trades training

Les drops hints about new direction during visit
7191langleyLes-Johnwebversion
Chilliwack Liberal MLA John Les, secretary to the premier, hinted the government plans to promote blue-collar employment.


When premier Christy Clark unveils a new job creation plan for B.C. later this month, it will likely include an emphasis on training for blue collar trades work like carpentry, plumbing, welding and operating heavy equipment.

Chilliwack Liberal MLA John Les dropped a strong hint about the provincial government’s likely new direction during a Langley visit last week (Sept. 8).

“Those kinds of jobs are going begging across the province and they pay very, very, very well,” Les told The Times during an interview at local MLA Mary Polak’s office.

“Those are good family-supporting jobs. We need to be focused on trades training.”

Les, the parliamentary secretary to the premier, has been conducting a “jobs tour” for the premier by meeting with local chambers of commerce and business representatives to get information about regional job needs.

“My job is to connect with people and gather up ideas,” Les said.

Before he came to Langley, Les visited northwest B.C. and Vancouver island.

His next scheduled stops were the Okanagan and the Cariboo.

The focus on trades jobs fits with another likely aspect of the provincial government’s job creation program, a new emphasis on business with booming Pacific Rim economies like China, which is expected to have a voracious appetite for B.C. copper, coal and natural gas, according to Les.



Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I’m the guy you’ll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
Read more