The Province of British Columbia is making a major expansion to its skilled-trades training system, aiming to ensure British Columbians can secure well-paying, family-supporting jobs created by major projects in construction, clean energy, mining and emerging technologies.
Over the next three years, B.C. will double its trades-training funding through a $241-million investment—the largest increase in almost two decades. The funding will increase per-seat support for apprenticeship programs, reduce wait-times for high-demand industrial trades, and advance skilled-trades certification starting with crane operators.
Government officials say the investment is designed both to strengthen the workforce and to ensure major projects can proceed without delays caused by labour shortages. Collaboration with unions, industry and post-secondary partners will be central to expanding training opportunities and helping more people transition into high-demand fields.
The investment comes at a time when B.C. has a record number of apprentices: nearly 50,000 registered learners and more than 11,000 high-school participants across the province. SkilledTradesBC oversees close to 90 trades programs and funds approximately 28,000 apprenticeship and foundation seats at public, union and private institutions.
Post-secondary leaders and industry representatives say this landmark investment will support the next generation of skilled workers, strengthen local economies, and open more training options in northern, rural and urban regions alike.
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