Province boosts local trades training to meet demand
The British Columbia Institute of Technology in Burnaby will add 272 new skilled‑trades training seats as part of the provincial Look West strategy, officials announced, a scaling up meant to expand access to apprenticeship and trades programs in the Lower Mainland.
The announcement is one piece of a broader provincial plan to deliver 5,000 new trades‑training seats in 2026‑27. In addition to the Burnaby increase, the government says nearly 900 seats have already been added at BCIT in response to demand, and the regional expansion will add more than 2,000 new trades‑training seats across the Lower Mainland in 2026.
The province is investing $241 million over three years to expand training capacity, accelerate entry to job sites and reduce wait lists for in‑demand apprenticeship programs. Officials say the moves are intended to support major projects and sectors that are driving demand for skilled workers in British Columbia, including construction, marine and transportation.
- 272 new seats at BCIT in Burnaby
- Nearly 900 seats already added at BCIT
- More than 2,000 new Lower Mainland seats planned for 2026
The additional seats at BCIT are expected to increase capacity in a number of high‑demand trades. The government identified several occupations that will benefit, including automotive service technician, carpentry, heavy mechanical trades, industrial mechanic (millwright), marine mechanical technician, plumber and sheet metal worker. The goal is to introduce more young people to the trades while reducing wait lists for apprenticeship pathways.
"Throughout British Columbia, more people are gaining access to the opportunities that come with a career in the skilled trades," said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post‑Secondary Education and Future Skills. "The additional seats at British Columbia Institute of Technology will help prepare the next generation of skilled workers who will contribute to our communities and support key sectors throughout the province."
Local planners and employers in Burnaby and the wider region have repeatedly signalled that labour shortages in skilled trades are constraining construction timelines and capacity on industrial and marine projects. By expanding training seats at a longstanding institution such as BCIT — which serves as a major post‑secondary and applied skills hub in Burnaby — the province is aiming to align workforce training with industry demand.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| New BCIT seats (Burnaby) | 272 |
| Seats added at BCIT to date | ~900 |
| Lower Mainland expansion (2026) | >2,000 |
| Province investment | $241 million (three years) |
Proponents say expanding access to trades training can help people secure well‑paying employment, support regional economic growth and smooth the pipeline from classroom to job site. The government framed the Look West initiative as part of a transition to a cleaner energy future that will rely on a skilled workforce.
For Burnaby residents, the ramp‑up at BCIT could translate into shorter wait times for apprenticeship programs and more routes into steady, in‑demand occupations. It may also ease some pressure on employers in the construction, marine and transportation sectors who have reported difficulty finding qualified tradespeople.
Officials say more training opportunities will continue to be rolled out over the coming months as part of the provincial plan to meet labour demand and strengthen post‑secondary pathways into the skilled trades.
