NANAIMO, B.C. — Vancouver Island University (VIU) and Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in Surrey are adding numerous skilled-trades training seats as the government looks to fulfill its commitment of 5,000 provincewide in 2026-27.
The new seats will reduce wait lists for in-demand apprenticeship programs, introduce more young people to the trades and increase training capacity in high-demand occupations, including carpentry and recreational vehicle service technician.
According to a government release, VIU will receive 64 new training seats, bringing the total number available at the school to 1,550 this year.
KPU will receive 462 new skilled-trades training seats, bringing its total number of trades-training seats available to 1,762 this year.
The new spaces at KPU will support training in a range of occupations that are essential to building homes, maintaining infrastructure and supporting industrial development, including:
construction electricians
industrial mechanics (millwrights)
plumbers
construction craft workers
parts technicians
Both announcements are part of the Look West strategy. The government is investing $241 million over three years to strengthen trades training across the province.