64 new seats added for trades program apprenticeship at Vancouver Island University
The move is a part of the Province’s Look West strategy, in which the government is investing $241 million over three years to train B.C. for in demand jobs, with the aim of helping more people enter training and move onto job sites sooner. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) is ramping up its Trades program, adding 64 seats in the coming year with investment from the Province.
On July 24, 2026 the Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills announced VIU is expanding the skilled trades training seats in Nanaimo adding 64 seats in 2026-27.
The move is a part of the Province’s Look West strategy, in which the government is investing $241 million over three years to train B.C. for in demand jobs, with the aim of helping more people enter training and move onto job sites sooner.
Minister for Post Secondary Education and Future Skills Jessie Sunner spoke at the July 24th announcement.
“We were speaking earlier today about how so many of the programs are just in wait lists, and people want to join but don't know how to do so. This is going to open those doors so that when someone wants a career in the trades, it's right there waiting for them, and they don't have to enter a wait list.”
George Anderson, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Nanaimo-Lantzville, commented on the benefits he hoped the community and students would yield from the new seats.
The new seats will bring the total number of spaces in trades programming to 1,550 for Vancouver Island University this year. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)
“These individuals won't have to leave home to build a good future,” said Anderson. “Vancouver Island University is allowing people to earn an income while they're learning and building the life they want right here at home.”
The new seats will bring the total number of spaces in trades programming to 1,550 for Vancouver Island University this year. According to Minister Sunner, more training opportunities will help people find jobs in the skilled trades, while supporting economic growth in the region and throughout the province.
During the announcement, Minister Sunner said the additional capacity is made to reduce or eliminate wait lists that have prevented prospective students from entering trades programs when they are ready to begin training. This will increase training capacity in high demand occupations like carpentry and recreational vehicle service technicians.
Minister Sunner added on the project’s investment on the people of B.C., she noted the major projects happening across the province.
“Major projects are moving forward across the province, including in clean energy, critical minerals, transportation, marine infrastructure, and construction.”
MLA for Nanaimo and Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Sheila Malcolmson spoke on the impact she hopes the new seats will have on the future development of Nanaimo.
“We don't want people all to go to the big big city, get their training, and then not come home,” said Malcolmson. “For Nanaimo, this is a particular win-win. We are building here in our community. We are training and credentialing the young people into trades that will continue to build our community.”
During the press conference, the stage was given to Mackenzie Morgan, a student in the Carpentry Foundations program at VIU. He spoke on his journey in the trades and how satisfied he is with the improvements VIU is getting.
Mackenzie Morgan (pictured) speaks on his journey in the trades and his thoughts about the improvements. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)
“I feel that VIU's carpentry program has prepared me for work in the industry. The curriculum is pretty extensive. We have learned everything from pouring foundations to roof construction, and have been able to experience firsthand work on real job sites. A lot of what I've learned in school, I've been able to apply to my current job, and I'd like to thank the provincial government for investing in training in the industry and helping more students like me get into this rewarding trade.”
During a Q&A with media, it was confirmed by VIU’s Interim President Dennis Johnson that most of the new seats will be added to carpentry and recreational vehicle service technician programs.
Furthermore, Minister Sunner said the Province asked post-secondary institutions how many additional seats they could offer immediately using their current facilities and instructors. VIU identified available capacity, which allowed the Province to expand the program without waiting for new infrastructure to be built.
She added on the work being done behind the scenes to reduce wait lists as much as possible.
“So bringing these opportunities to Vancouver Island, to Castlegar, to the Northeast are really our priority in this, and with this funding for this year that's gone out, it was a partnership with post-secondary institutions and union trainers to say, ‘What is your capacity? If we were to provide more funding, what could you provide right now to reduce waitlists, to eliminate waitlists.’ So that capacity is already there for this year, and it really is across every region of our province because we're seeing nation-building projects happening everywhere, not just in one part of the province,” said Sunner.
New seats at VIU are already available, with more coming for the next term of 2026-27. Further information on the Look West strategy is available from the Province’s website.
Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.
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