Victoria, BC – The Government of British Columbia is investing $241 million to expand skilled trades training across the province, aiming to help thousands of people access good-paying jobs while ensuring employers have the skilled workforce needed for major infrastructure and economic projects.
Premier David Eby said growing B.C.’s economy means ensuring British Columbians are first in line for opportunities created by billions of dollars in investment flowing into the province. He said the government is expanding training capacity in areas where it is needed most and helping people enter rewarding trades careers faster while strengthening the provincial economy.
Through the Province’s Look West initiative, the government is strengthening B.C.’s trades-training system to respond to increasing labour demand and global economic uncertainty. The funding will immediately expand training capacity where space already exists and modernize programs to better align with industry needs. Over the next three years, the investment is expected to create tens of thousands of additional trades training seats across B.C.’s institutions.
Annual funding for SkilledTradesBC will double from $107 million to $214 million by 2028-29. The Province says up to 5,000 new trades training seats will be added in 2026 at public post-secondary institutions and non-profit union training centres, allowing more people to begin training and move onto job sites sooner.
The investment will also help reduce waitlists in high-demand trades by expanding program capacity and increasing per-seat funding for apprenticeship programs leading to SkilledTradesBC credentials. The additional support is intended to help training providers manage rising costs for equipment, curriculum development and instruction.
As part of the initiative, the Province is launching the Look West: Workforce Readiness Initiative, aimed at improving access to training opportunities in rural and remote communities while responding directly to employer needs. Skilled trades certification will also be expanded, beginning with tower and mobile crane operators.
The Province says demand for skilled trades workers continues to grow as major projects move forward throughout British Columbia. Approximately $88 billion in major projects are proposed over the next three years, including 17 projects recently added to the Province’s priority major projects list. Those projects are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs in construction, clean energy, critical minerals, marine and transportation sectors.
Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, said British Columbians are ready to build the homes, hospitals, clean energy developments and major projects that will strengthen the economy. She said the jobs and talent already exist in B.C., and the government is ensuring residents are first in line for these family-supporting careers through the creation of 5,000 new training seats in the first year alone.
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