BC government to invest in more skilled-trades training in Nanaimo

There’s some good news for those looking to enter a career in trades in Nanaimo.

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is set to receive 64 new seats in their trades program this year, bringing the total number of seats in the program to 1,550.

The new seats come as part of the BC government’s Look West strategy, which aims to deliver 5,000 more trades training seats in 2026-27.

The strategy will invest $241 million over three years to train British Columbians for in-demand jobs and help move them to job sites more quickly.

According to a news release from the Province, 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 like carpentry and recreational vehicle service technician.

“On Vancouver Island, more people are walking into a meaningful career in the trades that pays well and keeps them close to home,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

“Every seat we add at VIU helps train a skilled tradesperson who will provide the in-demand skills and services our communities and industries need to move the economy forward. That’s the promise behind Look West: to give people the training to find a good, family-supporting job and give industry the workers to keep building B.C. forward.”

With the Look West strategy, the government is hoping to better support economic growth here in BC.

Expanded programming at the university is a step towards this, and the Province says that with these new seats, Nanaimo is well positioned to support BC’s priorities under the strategy.